UC Davis vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, 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 Davis is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis 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 Davis 22:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis 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 Davis than Otis College of Art and Design ($17,270 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 6.5% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($19,426 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 236.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $39,714 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Davis (about $5,514 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Davis (99% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($24,591 vs. $21,803).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otis College of Art and Design (1330) is 50 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis 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 UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

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

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis 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 Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $12,324 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($14,676 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $128 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($151 vs. $279).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.