CalArts vs. Maharishi International University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Maharishi International University in Fairfield, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Maharishi International University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,592 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); Maharishi International University is in Fairfield, IA (Remote Town setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Maharishi International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Maharishi International University 13:1.

CalArts vs. Maharishi International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Maharishi International 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 Maharishi International University than CalArts ($16,281 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maharishi International University are 47.6% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($7,400 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 256.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maharishi International University (about $42,466 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,530.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 256.9% higher at CalArts than at Maharishi International University (about $42,466 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maharishi International University than at California Institute of the Arts (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 86.3% larger than aid received by Maharishi International University students ($21,416 vs. $11,496).

CalArts vs. Maharishi International University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Maharishi International University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Maharishi International University Jul 30, 2027.
• Maharishi International University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 75.3% at Maharishi International University.

CalArts vs. Maharishi International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Maharishi International 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 Maharishi International University's (50%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Maharishi International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $10,537 lower median loan debt than Maharishi International University graduates ($28,500 vs. $39,037).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maharishi International University graduates ($294 vs. $403).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maharishi International University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.