CalArts vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

CalArts vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill University than CalArts ($18,925 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 13.3% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($12,258 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 56.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $21,260 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at CalArts than at Mars Hill University (about $21,260 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 45.1% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($31,066 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

CalArts vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 53%)

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.