Alaska Pacific University vs. Art Center College of Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, AK with Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than Alaska Pacific University based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 593 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alaska Pacific University is located in Anchorage, AK (Large City setting); Art Center College of Design is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Alaska Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alaska Pacific University 7:1; Art Center College of Design 9:1.

Alaska Pacific University vs. Art Center College of Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alaska Pacific University or Art Center College of Design? 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 Alaska Pacific University than Art Center College of Design ($21,960 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alaska Pacific University are 54.5% lower than at Art Center College of Design ($8,932 vs. $19,632).
• Art Center College of Design is 160.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alaska Pacific University (about $33,410 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.9% higher at Art Center College of Design than at Alaska Pacific University (about $33,410 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alaska Pacific University than at Art Center College of Design (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Center College of Design students is 95.4% larger than aid received by Alaska Pacific University students ($22,412 vs. $11,471).

Alaska Pacific University vs. Art Center College of Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alaska Pacific University or Art Center College of Design? 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 Art Center College of Design and Alaska Pacific University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alaska Pacific University - Test-free; Art Center College of Design - Test-free.
• Alaska Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Art Center College of Design (74.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.1% at Alaska Pacific University vs. 31.5% at Art Center College of Design.

Alaska Pacific University vs. Art Center College of Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alaska Pacific University and Art Center College of Design? 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).

• Art Center College of Design's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Alaska Pacific University's (46%).
• Graduates from Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Alaska Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($23,250 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($240 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alaska Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 58%)

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.