CalArts vs. USW

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of the Arts is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

CalArts vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or USW? 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 University of the Southwest than CalArts ($17,243 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 42.7% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($8,100 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 253.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $42,326 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 253.9% higher at CalArts than at University of the Southwest (about $42,326 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 105.2% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($21,416 vs. $10,436).

CalArts vs. USW Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; USW - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

CalArts vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and USW? 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 University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($23,500 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($242 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.