CalArts vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (2,256 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); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 5.2% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($13,400 vs. $14,134).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at CalArts than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $27,096 more per year; $58,996 vs. $31,900).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 9.6% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($23,467 vs. $21,416).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CalArts and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lenoir Rhyne University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.