California College of the Arts vs California State University-Los Angeles
California College of the Arts is a private college in San Francisco, CA, and California State University-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. Both admit about 91% of applicants. California State University-Los Angeles is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $3,967 a year against $53,909 at California College of the Arts. About 62% of students graduate at California College of the Arts, compared with 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Los Angeles alumni earn a median of about $59,211, against $49,414 for California College of the Arts.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
San Francisco, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
990
19,562
Acceptance rate
91%
91%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.26–3.76
3.14–3.64
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1310
870–1060
ACT (middle 50%)
19–28
15–20
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$53,909
$3,967
Full cost / yr
$79,776
$18,403
In-state tuition
$60,226
$7,160
Out-of-state tuition
$60,226
$19,760
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$61,407
$2,877
$30k - $48k
$43,261
$2,974
$48k - $75k
$45,378
$5,002
$75k - $110k
$46,060
$7,355
Over $110k
$56,394
$13,578
Outcomes
Graduation rate
62%
53%
Freshman retention
87%
72%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,308
$45,702
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,414
$59,211
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
66%
First-generation students
24%
62%
International students
32%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Not reported
Nov 30
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 91% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles?
- California State University-Los Angeles is cheaper on average. Students pay about $3,967 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $53,909 at California College of the Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California College of the Arts and California State University-Los Angeles?
- Before aid, California State University-Los Angeles costs about $18,403 a year and California College of the Arts about $79,776. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles?
- California State University-Los Angeles. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,877 there, against about $61,407 at California College of the Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles?
- California State University-Los Angeles is the larger of the two, with about 19,562 undergraduates against 990 at California College of the Arts.
- Does California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles have a better graduation rate?
- California College of the Arts has the higher graduation rate, at about 62% against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles.
- Do graduates of California College of the Arts or California State University-Los Angeles earn more?
- California State University-Los Angeles alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,211 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,414 for California College of the Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California College of the Arts and California State University-Los Angeles require SAT or ACT scores?
- California College of the Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California State University-Los Angeles is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California College of the Arts and California State University-Los Angeles look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1310 at California College of the Arts and 870–1060 at California State University-Los Angeles. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California College of the Arts vs California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia College of the Arts vs Minerva UniversityCalifornia College of the Arts vs Harvey Mudd CollegeCalifornia State University-Los Angeles vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Los Angeles vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Los Angeles vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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