CalArts vs. CityU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with City University of Seattle in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

City University of Seattle is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,007 students vs. 1,277 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); City University of Seattle is in Seattle, WA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. City University of Seattle is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; City University of Seattle 5:1.

CalArts vs. CityU Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at City University of Seattle are 17.8% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($11,613 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 304.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CityU (about $44,407 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $14,589.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 304.4% higher at CalArts than at City University of Seattle (about $44,407 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $14,589.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at City University of Seattle (95% vs. 0%).

CalArts vs. CityU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or CityU? 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 CityU and CalArts.

• City University of Seattle reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; CityU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

CalArts vs. CityU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and CityU? 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 City University of Seattle's (13%).
• Graduates from City University of Seattle earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,500 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, City University of Seattle graduates have a $3,834 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($24,666 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, CityU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($255 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CityU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

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.