CalArts vs. Design Institute of San Diego

California Institute of the Arts and Design Institute of San Diego side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of the Arts
Design Institute of San Diego

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CalArts (32.3% admitted vs 100%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Design Institute of San Diego. Average net price is $44,010 vs $56,239 at CalArts.
  • Graduation: CalArts 65% vs Design Institute of San Diego 62%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CalArts $50,400 vs Design Institute of San Diego $38,900 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of the Arts Design Institute of San Diego
Acceptance rate
CalArts more selective
CalArts32.3%
Design Institute of San Diego100%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CalArts-
Design Institute of San Diego-
Average net price
Design Institute of San Diego $12,229 less
CalArts$56,239
Design Institute of San Diego$44,010
In-state tuition
Design Institute of San Diego $29,696 less
CalArts$58,996
Design Institute of San Diego$29,300
Out-of-state tuition
Design Institute of San Diego $29,696 less
CalArts$58,996
Design Institute of San Diego$29,300
Graduation rate
CalArts +3 pts
CalArts65%
Design Institute of San Diego62%
Median earnings (10 years)
CalArts +$11,500
CalArts$50,400
Design Institute of San Diego$38,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CalArts 2,004
  • Design Institute of San Diego 7
  • Admitted
  • CalArts 648
  • Design Institute of San Diego 7
  • Acceptance rate
  • CalArts 32.3%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 100% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CalArts 27.9%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 28.6% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • CalArts
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Typical ACT score
  • CalArts
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Average high school GPA
  • CalArts -
  • Design Institute of San Diego -
  • Typical high school grades
  • CalArts -
  • Design Institute of San Diego -
  • Admissions standards
  • CalArts Unavailable
  • Design Institute of San Diego Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • CalArts High
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • SAT range
  • CalArts
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • ACT range
  • CalArts
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Submit test scores
  • CalArts Test-free
  • Design Institute of San Diego Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • CalArts Jan 5, 2027
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • Design Institute of San Diego $29,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • Design Institute of San Diego $29,300
  • Room & board
  • CalArts $14,134
  • Design Institute of San Diego $22,086
  • Average net price
  • CalArts $56,239
  • Design Institute of San Diego $44,010
  • Average grant aid
  • CalArts $21,416
  • Design Institute of San Diego $11,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CalArts 95%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • CalArts 65%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 62%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CalArts $50,400
  • Design Institute of San Diego $38,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • CalArts 64%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CalArts $28,500
  • Design Institute of San Diego $40,585
  • Median loan payment
  • CalArts $294
  • Design Institute of San Diego $419
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CalArts 7:1
  • Design Institute of San Diego 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • CalArts
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Design Institute of San Diego
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Location
  • CalArts Valencia, CA
  • Design Institute of San Diego San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • CalArts Midsize Suburban
  • Design Institute of San Diego Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CalArts 1,277
  • Design Institute of San Diego 94
  • Type
  • CalArts Private 4 Year
  • Design Institute of San Diego Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CalArts
  • Design Institute of San Diego

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Design Institute of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Design Institute of San Diego 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 36% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($14,134 vs. $22,086).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 101.4% higher at CalArts than at Design Institute of San Diego (about $29,696 more per year; $58,996 vs. $29,300).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 80% larger than aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students ($21,416 vs. $11,901).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CalArts, open admission at Design Institute of San Diego.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $12,085 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($28,500 vs. $40,585).
  • Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($294 vs. $419).
  • More Design Institute of San Diego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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