Otis College of Art and Design vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA with San Diego State University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Otis College of Art and Design is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Otis College of Art and Design 9:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Otis College of Art and Design vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Otis College of Art and Design or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University than Otis College of Art and Design ($14,704 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otis College of Art and Design are 9.8% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,784 vs. $23,030).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 547.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $47,760 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.9% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at San Diego State University (about $35,160 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at San Diego State University (99% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students is 80.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($21,803 vs. $12,053).

Otis College of Art and Design vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Otis College of Art and Design or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and Otis College of Art and Design.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otis College of Art and Design (1330) is 130 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) 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 San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Otis College of Art and Design vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Otis College of Art and Design and San Diego State? 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $11,651 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($15,349 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($158 vs. $279).
• More Otis College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 65%)

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.