CalArts vs. American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,452 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); American Musical and Dramatic Academy is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; American Musical and Dramatic Academy 5:1.

CalArts vs. American Musical and Dramatic Academy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or American Musical and Dramatic Academy? 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 American Musical and Dramatic Academy than CalArts ($48,524 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 26% lower than at American Musical and Dramatic Academy ($14,134 vs. $19,100).
• California Institute of the Arts is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than American Musical and Dramatic Academy (about $12,068 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $46,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at CalArts than at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (about $12,068 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $46,928.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American Musical and Dramatic Academy than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 24.8% larger than aid received by American Musical and Dramatic Academy students ($21,416 vs. $17,156).

CalArts vs. American Musical and Dramatic Academy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or American Musical and Dramatic Academy? 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 American Musical and Dramatic Academy and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); American Musical and Dramatic Academy - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• CalArts has a higher acceptance rate (32.3%) than American Musical and Dramatic Academy (24.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 27.4% at American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

CalArts vs. American Musical and Dramatic Academy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and American Musical and Dramatic Academy? 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).

• American Musical and Dramatic Academy's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California Institute of the Arts's (65%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($14,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($144 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American Musical and Dramatic Academy students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 42%)

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.