California Lutheran University vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, 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 Lutheran University is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University 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 Lutheran University 13:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University 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 Lutheran University than Otis College of Art and Design ($32,774 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 19.1% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($16,810 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $3,928 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Lutheran University (about $3,928 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University as at Otis College of Art and Design (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 64.4% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($35,855 vs. $21,803).

California Lutheran University vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University 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 California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otis College of Art and Design (1330) is 90 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) 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 California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

California Lutheran University vs. Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University 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 Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.