CalArts vs. 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 table 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.

CalArts vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Sterling College? 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 Sterling College than CalArts ($21,854 vs. $56,239).
• 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).
• California Institute of the Arts is 44.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $18,236 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at CalArts than at Sterling College (about $18,236 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• 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).

CalArts vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

CalArts vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Sterling 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).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.