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 tables 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.

Cost details

• 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).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at CalArts than at Mars Hill University (about $21,260 more per year; $58,996 vs. $37,736).
• 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).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CalArts and Mars Hill University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Loans and repayment

• 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.