Academic Comparison between UCSD and CalArts

University of California-San Diego and California Institute of the Arts are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, CA and CalArts is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Valencia, CA.

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.California Institute of the Arts
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationValencia, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees$58,996
59%% Receiving Financial Aid91%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$28,420
26.71 %Acceptance Rates32.34 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)27.93 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate67 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate17 %
94 %Retention Rate82 %
44,256Student Population1,277
3,101Number of Faculties145
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services