CalArts vs. USW

California Institute of the Arts and University of the Southwest side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of the Arts
University of the Southwest

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: USW. Average net price is $17,243 vs $56,239 at CalArts.
  • Graduation: CalArts 65% vs USW 18%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CalArts $50,400 vs USW $45,700 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of the Arts University of the Southwest
Acceptance rate
CalArts more selective
CalArts32.3%
USW-
SAT range (middle 50%)
CalArts-
USW-
Average net price
USW $38,996 less
CalArts$56,239
USW$17,243
In-state tuition
USW $42,326 less
CalArts$58,996
USW$16,670
Out-of-state tuition
USW $42,326 less
CalArts$58,996
USW$16,670
Graduation rate
CalArts +47 pts
CalArts65%
USW18%
Median earnings (10 years)
CalArts +$4,700
CalArts$50,400
USW$45,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CalArts 2,004
  • USW -
  • Admitted
  • CalArts 648
  • USW -
  • Acceptance rate
  • CalArts 32.3%
  • USW Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CalArts 27.9%
  • USW Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • CalArts
  • USW
  • Typical ACT score
  • CalArts
  • USW
  • Average high school GPA
  • CalArts -
  • USW 2.63
  • Typical high school grades
  • CalArts -
  • USW B-
  • Admissions standards
  • CalArts Unavailable
  • USW Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • CalArts High
  • USW
  • SAT range
  • CalArts
  • USW
  • ACT range
  • CalArts
  • USW
  • Submit test scores
  • CalArts Test-free
  • USW Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • CalArts Jan 5, 2027
  • USW
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • USW $16,670
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CalArts $58,996
  • USW $16,670
  • Room & board
  • CalArts $14,134
  • USW $8,100
  • Average net price
  • CalArts $56,239
  • USW $17,243
  • Average grant aid
  • CalArts $21,416
  • USW $10,436
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CalArts 95%
  • USW 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • CalArts 65%
  • USW 18%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CalArts $50,400
  • USW $45,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • CalArts 64%
  • USW 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CalArts $28,500
  • USW $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • CalArts $294
  • USW $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CalArts 7:1
  • USW 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • CalArts
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • USW
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (29%)
    • Psychology (17%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)
  • Location
  • CalArts Valencia, CA
  • USW Hobbs, NM
  • Setting
  • CalArts Midsize Suburban
  • USW Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • CalArts 1,277
  • USW 1,130
  • Type
  • CalArts Private 4 Year
  • USW Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CalArts
  • USW

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,130 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
  • California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 42.7% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($8,100 vs. $14,134).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 253.9% higher at CalArts than at University of the Southwest (about $42,326 more per year; $58,996 vs. $16,670).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 105.2% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($21,416 vs. $10,436).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CalArts, open admission at USW.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($23,500 vs. $28,500).
  • Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($242 vs. $294).
  • More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 47%).

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

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