CalArts vs. San Diego Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); San Diego Christian College is in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; San Diego Christian College 9:1.

CalArts vs. San Diego Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College than CalArts ($21,199 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 21.6% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($11,080 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 110.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Christian College (about $30,984 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.6% higher at CalArts than at San Diego Christian College (about $30,984 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College 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 15.2% larger than aid received by San Diego Christian College students ($21,416 vs. $18,584).

CalArts vs. San Diego Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College and CalArts.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Diego Christian College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• CalArts has a higher acceptance rate (32.3%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 15.8% at San Diego Christian College.

CalArts vs. San Diego Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Christian College graduates have a $5,394 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($23,106 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Christian College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($238 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.