CalArts vs. Paul Smith's College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in Paul Smiths, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Paul Smith's College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 948 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is in Paul Smiths, NY (Distant Rural setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 0.7% lower than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($14,134 vs. $14,236).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.7% higher at CalArts than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science (about $25,987 more per year; $58,996 vs. $33,009).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($22,973 vs. $21,416).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CalArts and Paul Smith's College.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 18.8% at Paul Smith's College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Paul Smith's College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($258 vs. $294).
• More Paul Smith's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 64%).

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