CalArts vs. University of Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than University of Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 802 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Holy Cross is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; University of Holy Cross 7:1.

CalArts vs. University of Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or University of Holy Cross? 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 University of Holy Cross than CalArts ($14,420 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Holy Cross are 16.5% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($11,802 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 255.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Holy Cross (about $42,420 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,576.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 255.9% higher at CalArts than at University of Holy Cross (about $42,420 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Holy Cross than at California Institute of the Arts (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 66.5% larger than aid received by University of Holy Cross students ($21,416 vs. $12,861).

CalArts vs. University of Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or University of Holy Cross? 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 University of Holy Cross and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; University of Holy Cross - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; University of Holy Cross Jul 20, 2027.
• University of Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 6% at University of Holy Cross.

CalArts vs. University of Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and University of Holy Cross? 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 California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than University of Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $3,958 lower median loan debt than University of Holy Cross graduates ($28,500 vs. $32,458).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Holy Cross graduates ($294 vs. $335).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 48%)

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.