CalArts vs. Ringling College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ringling College of Art and Design is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,666 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); Ringling College of Art and Design is in Sarasota, FL (Small City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Ringling College of Art and Design 11:1.

CalArts vs. Ringling College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Ringling College of Art and Design? 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 California Institute of the Arts than Ringling College of Art and Design ($56,239 vs. $62,012).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 26% lower than at Ringling College of Art and Design ($14,134 vs. $19,100).
• California Institute of the Arts is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ringling College of Art and Design (about $1,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $57,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at CalArts than at Ringling College of Art and Design (about $1,096 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $57,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ringling College of Art and Design 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 16.1% larger than aid received by Ringling College of Art and Design students ($21,416 vs. $18,442).

CalArts vs. Ringling College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Ringling College of Art and Design? 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 Ringling College of Art and Design and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Ringling College of Art and Design - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Ringling College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (69.7%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 23.5% at Ringling College of Art and Design.

CalArts vs. Ringling College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Ringling College of Art and Design? 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).

• Ringling College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California Institute of the Arts's (65%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Ringling College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ringling College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Ringling College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Ringling College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 64%)

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.