CalArts vs. Naropa University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Naropa University in Boulder, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Naropa University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Naropa University is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Naropa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Naropa University 10:1.

CalArts vs. Naropa University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Naropa 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 Naropa University than CalArts ($27,873 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Naropa University are 13% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($12,290 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 61.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Naropa University (about $22,376 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $36,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.1% higher at CalArts than at Naropa University (about $22,376 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $36,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Naropa University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 18.7% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($25,429 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Naropa University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Naropa 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 Naropa University and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Naropa University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 27.3% at Naropa University.

CalArts vs. Naropa University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Naropa 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 Naropa University's (35%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $24,600 more per year than Naropa University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $25,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Naropa University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($26,500 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Naropa University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($274 vs. $294).
• More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.