CalArts vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with McDaniel College in Westminster, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,868 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); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

CalArts vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or McDaniel College? 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 McDaniel College than CalArts ($24,497 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 8.2% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($12,974 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than McDaniel College (about $6,915 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at CalArts than at McDaniel College (about $6,915 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 90.1% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($40,721 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or McDaniel College? 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 McDaniel College and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

CalArts vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and McDaniel College? 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than California Institute of the Arts's (65%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.