CalArts vs. Boston Architectural College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Boston Architectural College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Boston Architectural College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Boston Architectural College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston Architectural College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Boston Architectural College 9:1.

CalArts vs. Boston Architectural College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Boston Architectural College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston Architectural College than CalArts ($26,590 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 11.7% lower than at Boston Architectural College ($14,134 vs. $16,000).
• California Institute of the Arts is 114.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boston Architectural College (about $31,526 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $27,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.8% higher at CalArts than at Boston Architectural College (about $31,526 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $27,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Boston Architectural College (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 55.7% larger than aid received by Boston Architectural College students ($21,416 vs. $13,753).

CalArts vs. Boston Architectural College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Boston Architectural College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Boston Architectural College and CalArts.

• Boston Architectural College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Boston Architectural College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

CalArts vs. Boston Architectural College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Boston Architectural College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Boston Architectural College's (9%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $900 more per year than Boston Architectural College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $11,037 lower median loan debt than Boston Architectural College graduates ($28,500 vs. $39,537).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boston Architectural College graduates ($294 vs. $408).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boston Architectural College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.