Caltech vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

Caltech vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Otis College of Art and Design? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Otis College of Art and Design ($14,513 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 2.4% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($20,283 vs. $20,784).
• California Institute of Technology is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Otis College of Art and Design (about $9,410 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $56,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Caltech than at Otis College of Art and Design (about $9,410 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $56,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Institute of Technology (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 231.9% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($72,373 vs. $21,803).

Caltech vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Otis College of Art and Design? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Otis College of Art and Design and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 230 points higher than at Otis College of Art and Design (1330).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Otis College of Art and Design (3.31).
• Otis College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

Caltech vs. Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Otis College of Art and Design? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $34,700 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $12,650 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($14,350 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($148 vs. $279).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.