California Institute of the Arts vs Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD)
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) stand out as premier institutions for aspiring artists and designers. While both offer a vibrant and creative learning environment, they differ in several key aspects. CalArts boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while CCAD offers a more accessible route for students seeking an arts education. In terms of popular majors, CalArts excels in Film/Video/Cinema and Animation/Interactive Media, while CCAD is renowned for its Fashion Design and Illustration programs. CalArts fosters a diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students compared to CCAD. When it comes to graduation rates, CCAD holds a slight edge over CalArts, suggesting a strong commitment to student success. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into these differences and discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() California Institute of the Arts |
![]() Columbus College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Valencia, California | Columbus, Ohio |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 82.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 29.0% | 94.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,364 | 730 |
Total number of admissions given out | 685 | 689 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 203 | 189 |
Yield rate | 29.6% | 27.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,792 | $54,496 |
Average net price | $53,916 | $20,726 |
Tuition | $52,850 | $36,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,040
Meal plan:
$5,095
|
$11,490 |
Available payment plans |
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|
|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $18,119 |
100.0%
Average amount $24,540 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $5,615 |
68.0%
Average amount $5,502 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $12,000 |
11.0%
Average amount $16,807 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
965
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
976
Men 29.8% Women 70.2% |
Graduate students |
479
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
24
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 29.7% |
International students | 29.0% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 441 | 438 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Ohio Pennsylvania Indiana Illinois |
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Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 71.9% | 59.7% |
Dropout rate | 28.1% | 40.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Dance (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Visual and Performing Arts, General (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
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