CalArts vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Mercy University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,417 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); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

CalArts vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Mount Mercy 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 Mount Mercy University than CalArts ($24,347 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 17.9% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($11,600 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $18,118 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at CalArts than at Mount Mercy University (about $18,118 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($30,735 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Mount Mercy 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 Mount Mercy College and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

CalArts vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Mount Mercy 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).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($22,250 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($230 vs. $294).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.