CalArts vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,312 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 Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

CalArts vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University than CalArts ($27,368 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 8.9% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($14,134 vs. $15,518).
• California Institute of the Arts is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Saint Mary's University (about $9,432 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $49,564.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at CalArts than at Mount Saint Mary's University (about $9,432 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $49,564.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 83.1% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($39,218 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and CalArts.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Mount Saint Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (73.1%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

CalArts vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($258 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.