CalArts vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,906 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); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

CalArts vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College than CalArts ($26,094 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 16.5% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($11,804 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gustavus Adolphus College (about $2,920 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $56,076.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at CalArts than at Gustavus Adolphus College (about $2,920 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $56,076.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 93.5% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($41,450 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Gustavus Adolphus College has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

CalArts vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than California Institute of the Arts's (65%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 64%)

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.