CalArts vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,574 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); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

CalArts vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University than CalArts ($23,848 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 5% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($13,431 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 56.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $21,286 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.4% higher at CalArts than at La Sierra University (about $21,286 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California Institute of the Arts (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($27,646 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and CalArts.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

CalArts vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($28,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($294 vs. $310).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.