CalArts vs. Pacific Oaks College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pacific Oaks College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Pacific Oaks College 11:1.

CalArts vs. Pacific Oaks College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Pacific Oaks College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 26.3% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($14,134 vs. $19,185).
• California Institute of the Arts is 81.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific Oaks College (about $26,476 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.4% higher at CalArts than at Pacific Oaks College (about $26,476 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Pacific Oaks College (95% vs. 0%).

CalArts vs. Pacific Oaks College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Pacific Oaks 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 Pacific Oaks College and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Pacific Oaks College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Pacific Oaks College has a higher acceptance rate (34.4%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College.

CalArts vs. Pacific Oaks College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Pacific Oaks 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).

• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have a $7,533 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($20,967 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($216 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.