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.

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • UCSD is a public and CalArts is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • CalArts has more expensive tuition & fees ($58,996) than UCSD ($47,676).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than CalArts.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while CalArts has 1,277 students.
  • CalArts has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while CalArts has 145 full-time faculties.
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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