CalArts vs. Sterling College

California Institute of the Arts and Sterling College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of the Arts
Sterling College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CalArts (32.3% admitted vs 66.7%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Sterling College. Average net price is $21,854 vs $56,239 at CalArts.
  • Graduation: CalArts 65% vs Sterling College 50%.
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Key differences

California Institute of the Arts Sterling College
Acceptance rate
CalArts more selective
CalArts32.3%
Sterling College66.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CalArts-
Sterling College-
Average net price
Sterling College $34,385 less
CalArts$56,239
Sterling College$21,854
In-state tuition
Sterling College $18,236 less
CalArts$58,996
Sterling College$40,760
Out-of-state tuition
Sterling College $18,236 less
CalArts$58,996
Sterling College$40,760
Graduation rate
CalArts +15 pts
CalArts65%
Sterling College50%
Median earnings (10 years)
CalArts +$50,400
CalArts$50,400
Sterling College-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CalArts 2,004
  • Sterling College 69
  • Admitted
  • CalArts 648
  • Sterling College 46
  • Acceptance rate
  • CalArts 32.3%
  • Sterling College 66.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CalArts 27.9%
  • Sterling College 10.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CalArts
  • Sterling College
  • Typical ACT score
  • CalArts
  • Sterling College
  • Average high school GPA
  • CalArts -
  • Sterling College 3.1
  • Typical high school grades
  • CalArts -
  • Sterling College B
  • Admissions standards
  • CalArts Unavailable
  • Sterling College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • CalArts High
  • Sterling College Low
  • SAT range
  • CalArts
  • Sterling College
  • ACT range
  • CalArts
  • Sterling College
  • Submit test scores
  • CalArts Test-free
  • Sterling College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CalArts Jan 5, 2027
  • Sterling College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • Sterling College $40,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • Sterling College $40,760
  • Room & board
  • CalArts $14,134
  • Sterling College $10,950
  • Average net price
  • CalArts $56,239
  • Sterling College $21,854
  • Average grant aid
  • CalArts $21,416
  • Sterling College $32,556
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CalArts 95%
  • Sterling College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • CalArts 65%
  • Sterling College 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CalArts $50,400
  • Sterling College N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • CalArts 64%
  • Sterling College 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CalArts $28,500
  • Sterling College $17,035
  • Median loan payment
  • CalArts $294
  • Sterling College $176
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CalArts 7:1
  • Sterling College 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • CalArts
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Sterling College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (48%)
    • Biology (33%)
    • Agriculture (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • CalArts Valencia, CA
  • Sterling College Craftsbury Common, VT
  • Setting
  • CalArts Midsize Suburban
  • Sterling College Remote Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • CalArts 1,277
  • Sterling College 57
  • Type
  • CalArts Private 4 Year
  • Sterling College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CalArts
  • Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 57 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
  • California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.5% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($10,950 vs. $14,134).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at CalArts than at Sterling College (about $18,236 more per year; $58,996 vs. $40,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 52% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($32,556 vs. $21,416).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CalArts and Sterling College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $11,465 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($17,035 vs. $28,500).
  • Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($176 vs. $294).
  • More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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