UC Berkeley vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, 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.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 University of California Berkeley than Otis College of Art and Design ($16,538 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otis College of Art and Design are 12.5% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,784 vs. $23,750).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 245.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $40,141 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Berkeley (about $5,941 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Berkeley (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 35.8% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($29,608 vs. $21,803).

UC Berkeley vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 90 points higher than at Otis College of Art and Design (1330).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) 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 UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

UC Berkeley vs. Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $12,800 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($14,200 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $133 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($146 vs. $279).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.