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 tables 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.

Cost details

• 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).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.7% higher at CalArts than at Trinity Washington University (about $32,386 more per year; $58,996 vs. $26,610).
• 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).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CalArts and Trinity College.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Trinity College Mar 1, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 20.2% at Trinity College.

Loans and repayment

• 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.