CalArts vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

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

Spalding University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 1,277 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Spalding University 9:1.

CalArts vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Spalding? 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 Spalding University than CalArts ($25,999 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 31.3% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($9,710 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 102% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $29,796 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at CalArts than at Spalding University (about $29,796 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding 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 10.2% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($21,416 vs. $19,429).

CalArts vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Spalding - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 15.6% at Spalding.

CalArts vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Spalding? 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 Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Spalding graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($258 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 44%)

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.