CalArts vs. MACU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Mid America Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mid America Christian University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,397 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); Mid America Christian University is in Oklahoma City, OK (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mid America Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Mid America Christian University 14:1.

CalArts vs. MACU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or MACU? 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 Mid America Christian University than CalArts ($17,585 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mid America Christian University are 33.9% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($9,336 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 177.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MACU (about $37,702 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $21,294.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177.1% higher at CalArts than at Mid America Christian University (about $37,702 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $21,294.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts as at Mid America Christian University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Mid America Christian University students ($21,416 vs. $13,695).

CalArts vs. MACU Admissions comparison

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

• Mid America Christian University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; MACU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• MACU has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 69% at MACU.

CalArts vs. MACU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and MACU? 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 Mid America Christian University's (23%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than MACU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mid America Christian University graduates have a $1,062 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,438 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, MACU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($283 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MACU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 37%)

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.