Academic Comparison between Fresno State and CalArts

California State University-San Marcos and California Institute of the Arts are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Fresno State is a four-year, public school located in San Marcos, 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.

  • Fresno State is a public and CalArts is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • CalArts has more expensive tuition & fees ($56,724) than Fresno State ($19,614).
  • It is harder to admit to CalArts than Fresno State.
  • Fresno State has more students with 15,109 students while CalArts has 1,440 students.
  • CalArts has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Fresno State's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • Fresno State has more full-time faculties with 392 faculties while CalArts has 154 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California State University-San Marcosvs.California Institute of the Arts
San Marcos, CaliforniaLocationValencia, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$7,734
Out-Of-State$19,614
2024 Tuition & Fees$56,724
65%% Receiving Financial Aid55%
$8,305Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,801
96.00 %Acceptance Rates26.00 %
16.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)34.03 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
56 %Graduation Rate63 %
3 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
72 %Retention Rate85 %
15,109Student Population1,440
392Number of Faculties154
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, 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