UCSD vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

UCSD vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Otis College of Art and Design ($14,047 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 8.7% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($18,970 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 237.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $39,730 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California San Diego (about $5,530 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California San Diego (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($25,757 vs. $21,803).

UCSD vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 50 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 San Diego 1270/1480; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD 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 UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

UCSD vs. Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($18,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($191 vs. $279).
• More UCSD 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.