CalArts vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,256 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); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

CalArts vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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 Lenoir Rhyne University than CalArts ($21,546 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 5.2% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($13,400 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 84.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $27,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at CalArts than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $27,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 9.6% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($23,467 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

CalArts vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lenoir Rhyne University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.