CalArts vs. West Coast University-Orange County

Should I go to California Institute of the Arts or West Coast University Orange County? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CalArts or West Coast University-Orange County is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California Institute of the Arts vs. West Coast University Orange County comparison
California Institute of the Arts West Coast University Orange County College 3 College 4
California Institute of the Arts
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Overview

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Location Valencia, CA Anaheim, CA
Setting Midsize Suburban Large City
Enrollment 1,353 4,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website calarts.edu westcoastuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Tuition (In State) $56,074 $21,558
Tuition (Out of State) $56,074 $21,558
Room & Board $12,820 $8,928
Avg Net Price $57,288 $36,263
Avg Grant Aid $22,071 $2,938
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 43%

Admission

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,023 -
Admitted 525 -
Acceptance Rate 26%
Enrolled % 33.7%
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2026

Academics

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Health Professions (100%)

Outcomes

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Graduation Rate 65% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,500 $33,332
Median Loan Payment $294 $344

Diversity

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
% Men 12% 6%
% Women 20% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 42% 26%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 15% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 4%

Students

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
% In-State 32% 100%
% Out-of-State 38% 0%

Campus

CalArts West Coast University-Orange County
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Coast University Orange County is larger than than CalArts based on total student enrollment (4,481 students vs. 1,353 students)

CalArts vs. West Coast University-Orange County Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or West Coast University-Orange County?

  • California Institute of the Arts is 160.1% more expensive to attend than West Coast University-Orange County for in-state tuition ($56,074.00 vs. $21,558.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 160.1% higher at CalArts than West Coast University Orange County ($56,074.00 vs. $21,558.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Coast University Orange County than CalArts ($36,263 vs. $57,288)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Coast University Orange County are 43.6% lower than costs at California Institute of the Arts ($8,928 vs. $12,820)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than West Coast University Orange County (88% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 651.2% larger than aid received West Coast University Orange County ($22,071 vs. $2,938)

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or West Coast University-Orange County? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between West Coast University-Orange County or CalArts .

CalArts vs. West Coast University-Orange County Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CalArts or West Coast University-Orange County? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between West Coast University-Orange County and CalArts.

  • Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn on average $4,300 more per year than West Coast University-Orange County graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $46,100)
  • California Institute of the Arts students graduate with a $4,832 lower median federal student loan debt than West Coast University-Orange County graduates. ($28,500 vs. $33,332)
  • CalArts graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than West Coast University-Orange County graduates. ($294 vs. $344)
  • More West Coast University-Orange County graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/