CalArts vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Northwestern Health Sciences University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Northwestern Health Sciences University is in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Health Sciences University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Northwestern Health Sciences University 6:1.

CalArts vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Northwestern Health Sciences 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 Northwestern Health Sciences University than CalArts ($36,272 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 5.5% lower than at Northwestern Health Sciences University ($14,134 vs. $14,962).
• California Institute of the Arts is 391% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern Health Sciences University (about $46,981 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $12,015.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 391% higher at CalArts than at Northwestern Health Sciences University (about $46,981 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $12,015.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Northwestern Health Sciences University (95% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 496.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern Health Sciences University students ($21,416 vs. $3,591).

CalArts vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Northwestern Health Sciences 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 Northwestern Health Sciences University and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Northwestern Health Sciences University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

CalArts vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Northwestern Health Sciences 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).

• Graduates from Northwestern Health Sciences University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Health Sciences University graduates have a $20,200 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($8,300 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern Health Sciences University graduates have an estimated $209 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($85 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern Health Sciences University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.