CalArts vs. Trinity College

Comparable Facts

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

Trinity Washington University is larger than CalArts based on total student enrollment (1,948 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); Trinity Washington University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Trinity Washington University 9:1.

CalArts vs. Trinity College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Trinity 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 Trinity Washington University than CalArts ($11,755 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity Washington University are 13.8% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($12,180 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 121.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity College (about $32,386 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.7% higher at CalArts than at Trinity Washington University (about $32,386 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity Washington University than at California Institute of the Arts (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity Washington University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($22,386 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Trinity College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Trinity College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Trinity College and CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Trinity College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Trinity College Mar 1, 2027.
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 20.2% at Trinity College.

CalArts vs. Trinity College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Trinity College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Trinity Washington University's (45%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $3,149 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($28,500 vs. $31,649).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($294 vs. $327).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 33%)

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.