CalArts vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Nevada College is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (4,284 students vs. 1,277 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

CalArts vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or WNC? 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 Western Nevada College than CalArts ($14,929 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 20.5% lower than at Western Nevada College ($14,134 vs. $17,788).
• California Institute of the Arts is 1,315.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $54,828 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 359.7% higher at CalArts than at Western Nevada College (about $46,162 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Western Nevada College (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 264.6% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($21,416 vs. $5,874).

CalArts vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

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

CalArts vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and WNC? 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 California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $17,184 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($11,316 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $177 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($117 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 30%)

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.