CalArts vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Woods University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,046 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); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; William Woods University 16:1.

CalArts vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or WWU? 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 William Woods University than CalArts ($27,092 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Woods University are 7.7% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($13,050 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 94.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WWU (about $28,656 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.4% higher at CalArts than at William Woods University (about $28,656 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($22,204 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• WWU has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 23.6% at WWU.

CalArts vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $7,063 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($21,437 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($221 vs. $294).
• More WWU 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.