SCI-Arc vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cedar Crest College is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (1,290 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

SCI-Arc vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College than SCI-Arc ($23,691 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 1.4% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($13,406 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cedar Crest College (about $9,848 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $46,314.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at SCI-Arc than at Cedar Crest College (about $9,848 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $46,314.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (99% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 27.9% larger than aid received by Cedar Crest College students ($42,627 vs. $33,323).

SCI-Arc vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College and SCI-Arc.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 10 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

SCI-Arc vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and Cedar Crest 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.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cedar Crest College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($27,750 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Cedar Crest College graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($286 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.