PSC vs. CalArts

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); California Institute of the Arts is in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; California Institute of the Arts 7:1.

PSC vs. CalArts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or CalArts? 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 Philander Smith University than CalArts ($14,082 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 29.2% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($10,000 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 353.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $45,982 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 353.3% higher at CalArts than at Philander Smith University (about $45,982 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($21,416 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. CalArts Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; CalArts - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

PSC vs. CalArts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and CalArts? 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).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($28,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($294 vs. $320).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 35%)

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.