CalArts vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, 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 the Arts is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts 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 the Arts 7:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

CalArts vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts 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 Otis College of Art and Design than CalArts ($54,295 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 32% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($14,134 vs. $20,784).
• California Institute of the Arts is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Otis College of Art and Design (about $2,508 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $56,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at CalArts than at Otis College of Art and Design (about $2,508 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $56,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students is 1.8% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($21,803 vs. $21,416).

CalArts vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts 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 CalArts.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOtis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Otis College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

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

How do outcomes compare for CalArts 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 the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from Otis College of Art and Design earn a median of about $700 more per year than CalArts graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Otis College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Otis College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Otis College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 64%)

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.