CalArts vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

CalArts vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or CDU? 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 Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than CalArts ($35,558 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 57.3% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($14,134 vs. $33,090).
• California Institute of the Arts is 156.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CDU (about $35,996 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.5% higher at CalArts than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $35,996 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 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 400.8% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($21,416 vs. $4,276).

CalArts vs. CDU Admissions comparison

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

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• CDU has a higher acceptance rate (38.7%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 3.5% at CDU.

CalArts vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and CDU? 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates have a $7,181 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($21,319 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, CDU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($220 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.