San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) vs California Institute of the Arts
San Francisco Conservatory of Music and California Institute of the Arts, two esteemed institutions renowned for their arts education, offer distinct experiences for aspiring artists. While both share a commitment to artistic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. San Francisco Conservatory of Music, known for its rigorous classical music training, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 33%, while California Institute of the Arts, embracing a broader range of artistic disciplines, maintains a more accessible acceptance rate of 56%. In terms of student demographics, San Francisco Conservatory of Music's student body comprises 58% female and 42% male students, while California Institute of the Arts fosters a more balanced gender ratio with 49% female and 51% male students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding popular majors, graduation rates, and other factors that set these institutions apart, aiding you in making an informed decision that aligns with your artistic aspirations and academic goals.
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![]() California Institute of the Arts |
![]() San Francisco Conservatory of Music |
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Overview |
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Location | Valencia, California | San Francisco, California |
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% | 91.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 29.0% | 46.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$110
Graduate:
$110
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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 | 422 |
Total number of admissions given out | 685 | 196 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 203 | 49 |
Yield rate | 29.6% | 25.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | 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 | $75,075 |
Average net price | $53,916 | $43,036 |
Tuition | $52,850 | $49,300 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,040
Meal plan:
$5,095
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Room/dormitory:
$13,700
Meal plan:
$6,000
|
Available payment plans |
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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 $26,525 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $5,615 |
35.0%
Average amount $5,663 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $12,000 |
5.0%
Average amount $32,375 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
965
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
228
Men 59.2% Women 40.8% |
Graduate students |
479
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
214
Men 41.1% Women 58.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 29.0% | 32.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 441 | 405 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 71.9% | 70.6% |
Dropout rate | 28.1% | 29.4% |
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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Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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