CalArts vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

CalArts vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University than CalArts ($20,528 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 28.5% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($10,100 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 169.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $37,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $21,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.4% higher at CalArts than at Southwestern Christian University (about $37,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $21,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Southwestern Christian University students ($21,416 vs. $12,784).

CalArts vs. SCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or SCU? 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 SCU and CalArts.

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

CalArts vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University's (28%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $27,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Christian University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 38%)

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.