CalArts vs. University of Western States

Deciding between California Institute of the Arts and University of Western States? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

California Institute of the Arts

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • CalArts Valencia, CA
  • University of Western States Portland, OR
  • Setting
  • CalArts Midsize Suburban
  • University of Western States Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CalArts 1,277
  • University of Western States 959
  • Type
  • CalArts Private 4 Year
  • University of Western States Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CalArts -
  • University of Western States -
  • Status
  • CalArts Non-profit
  • University of Western States Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • University of Western States $8,710
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • University of Western States $8,710
  • Room & Board
  • CalArts $14,134
  • University of Western States $0
  • Average Net Price
  • CalArts $56,239
  • University of Western States -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CalArts $21,416
  • University of Western States $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CalArts 95%
  • University of Western States 0%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CalArts 2,004
  • University of Western States -
  • Admitted
  • CalArts 648
  • University of Western States -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CalArts 32.3%
  • University of Western States Open
  • Enrolled
  • CalArts 27.9%
  • University of Western States Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States
  • Typical ACT score
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States
  • Average High School GPA
  • CalArts -
  • University of Western States -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CalArts -
  • University of Western States -
  • Admissions Standards
  • CalArts Unavailable
  • University of Western States Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • CalArts High
  • University of Western States
  • ACT Range
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States
  • SAT Range
  • CalArts
  • University of Western States
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CalArts Test-free
  • University of Western States Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • CalArts Jan 5, 2027
  • University of Western States

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CalArts 7:1
  • University of Western States 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CalArts
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • University of Western States
    • Health Professions (90%)
    • Biology (10%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CalArts 65%
  • University of Western States -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CalArts $50,400
  • University of Western States $52,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CalArts 64%
  • University of Western States 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CalArts $28,500
  • University of Western States $8,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CalArts $294
  • University of Western States $87

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CalArts 41%
  • University of Western States 31%
  • % Women
  • CalArts 59%
  • University of Western States 69%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CalArts Very High
  • University of Western States Medium
  • HBCU
  • CalArts No
  • University of Western States No
  • % White
  • CalArts 42%
  • University of Western States 64%
  • % Asian
  • CalArts 16%
  • University of Western States 3%
  • % Black
  • CalArts 7%
  • University of Western States 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • CalArts 15%
  • University of Western States 9%
  • % Native American
  • CalArts 1%
  • University of Western States 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CalArts 1%
  • University of Western States 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CalArts 6%
  • University of Western States 20%
  • % International
  • CalArts 7%
  • University of Western States 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CalArts 8%
  • University of Western States 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CalArts 36%
  • University of Western States -
  • % Out-of-State
  • CalArts 39%
  • University of Western States -

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CalArts Yes
  • University of Western States No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CalArts No
  • University of Western States Not applicable
  • Meal Plan
  • CalArts Yes
  • University of Western States No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CalArts No
  • University of Western States Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • CalArts No
  • University of Western States No

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with University of Western States in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than University of Western States based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CalArts vs. University of Western States Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or University of Western States? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • California Institute of the Arts is 577.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Western States (about $50,286 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $8,710.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 577.3% higher at CalArts than at University of Western States (about $50,286 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $8,710.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at University of Western States (95% vs. 0%).

CalArts vs. University of Western States Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or University of Western States? 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 University of Western States and CalArts.

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

CalArts vs. University of Western States Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and University of Western States? 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).

  • Graduates from University of Western States earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Western States graduates have a $20,000 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($8,500 vs. $28,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Western States graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($87 vs. $294).
  • More University of Western States graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.