CSU vs. CalArts

Should I go to California State University Chico or California Institute of the Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or CalArts 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 State University Chico vs. California Institute of the Arts comparison
California State University Chico California Institute of the Arts College 3 College 4
California State University Chico California Institute of the Arts
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Overview

CSU CalArts
Location Chico, CA Valencia, CA
Setting Small City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 14,183 1,440
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #659
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu calarts.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU CalArts
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $54,440
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $54,440
Room & Board $15,212 $12,446
Avg Net Price $15,517 $55,225
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $20,474
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 59%

Admission

CSU CalArts
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 2,120
Admitted 20,347 525
Acceptance Rate 95% 24.8%
Enrolled % 9.9% 36%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 970/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2024 Jan 5, 2025

Academics

CSU CalArts
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

CSU CalArts
Graduation Rate 59% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $28,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $294

Diversity

CSU CalArts
% Men 45% 38%
% Women 55% 62%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 42%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 29% 15%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 8%

Students

CSU CalArts
% In-State 97% 32%
% Out-of-State 2% 38%

Campus

CSU CalArts
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Chico is larger than than CalArts based on total student enrollment (14,183 students vs. 1,440 students)

CSU vs. CalArts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or CalArts?

  • California Institute of the Arts is 848.1% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($54,440.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 208.9% higher at CalArts than California State University Chico ($54,440.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than CalArts ($15,517 vs. $55,225)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 22.2% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($12,446 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California State University Chico than California Institute of the Arts (62% vs. 59%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 123.5% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($20,474 vs. $9,162)

CSU vs. CalArts Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than CalArts (24.8%)

CSU vs. CalArts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or CalArts? 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 CalArts and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CalArts is higher than California State University Chico (65% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $2,000 more per year than CalArts graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $50,400)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $11,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CalArts graduates. ($17,000 vs. $28,500)
  • CSU graduates are paying $119 less per month on federal student loans than CalArts graduates. ($175 vs. $294)
  • More CSU 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/