CalArts vs. Otis College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Otis College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 1,267 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Otis College of Art and Design is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Otis College of Art and Design 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of the Arts are 32% lower than at Otis College of Art and Design ($14,134 vs. $20,784).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at CalArts than at Otis College of Art and Design (about $2,508 more per year; $58,996 vs. $56,488).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otis College of Art and Design than at California Institute of the Arts (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Otis College of Art and Design students is 1.8% larger than aid received by California Institute of the Arts students ($21,803 vs. $21,416).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CalArts, test optional at Otis College of Art and Design.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 10.5% at Otis College of Art and Design.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Otis College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Otis College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Otis College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation (67% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.