UCSB vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,267 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

UCSB vs. Otis College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 Santa Barbara than Otis College of Art and Design ($17,658 vs. $54,295).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 2.4% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($20,279 vs. $20,784).
• Otis College of Art and Design is 244.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $40,074 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $5,874 more per year; $56,488.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students ($24,695 vs. $21,803).

UCSB vs. Otis College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Otis College of Art and Design 1265/1395.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Otis College of Art and Design - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

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

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Otis College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Otis College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $10,549 lower median loan debt than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($16,451 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otis College of Art and Design graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otis College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.