Cal Poly vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

Cal Poly vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Otis College of Art and Design ($17,453 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 9.6% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($18,792 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 315.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $42,892 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $21,823 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students is 52.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($21,803 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otis College of Art and Design (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) 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 Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

Cal Poly vs. Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $8,334 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($18,666 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.