CalArts vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

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

Lesley University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,557 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); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Lesley University 10:1.

CalArts vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Lesley 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 Lesley University than CalArts ($32,587 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 29% lower than at Lesley University ($14,134 vs. $19,920).
• California Institute of the Arts is 72.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $24,740 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at CalArts than at Lesley University (about $24,740 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University 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 11.7% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($21,416 vs. $19,167).

CalArts vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Lesley 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 Lesley University and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

CalArts vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $4,180 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($24,320 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($251 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.