Cal State Fullerton vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, 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 State University Fullerton is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton 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 State University Fullerton 26:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton 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 State University Fullerton than Otis College of Art and Design ($7,064 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 8.2% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($19,080 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 656.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $49,018 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.5% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at California State University Fullerton (about $36,418 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at California State University Fullerton (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students is 94.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($21,803 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton 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 State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otis College of Art and Design (1330) is 240 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Otis College of Art and Design (3.31).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Otis College of Art and Design (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton 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).

• Otis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Otis College of Art and Design earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.