CalArts vs. CSE

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than CSE based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 871 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Saint Elizabeth University is in Morristown, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Elizabeth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Saint Elizabeth University 8:1.

CalArts vs. CSE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or CSE? 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 Saint Elizabeth University than CalArts ($23,437 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Elizabeth University are 3.4% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($13,652 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 60.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSE (about $22,255 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.6% higher at CalArts than at Saint Elizabeth University (about $22,255 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Elizabeth University than at California Institute of the Arts (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Elizabeth University students is 38.9% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($29,755 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. CSE Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; CSE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• CSE has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 7.6% at CSE.

CalArts vs. CSE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and CSE? 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 Saint Elizabeth University's (58%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than CSE graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Elizabeth University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, CSE graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($258 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSE students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.