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Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, CA·Private nonprofit·1,223 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,223 students.

82%
Accept
1,223
Students
$51,248
Net Price
66%
Grad Rate
$52,400
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

Otis College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Los Angeles, California with approximately 1,223 undergraduate students enrolled. Otis College of Art and Design has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $51,248 per year. The graduation rate is 66%, and the typical graduate earns $52,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Otis College of Art and Design is a private art and design school in Los Angeles, California, United States. Established in 1918, it was the city's first independent professional school of art. The main campus is located in the former IBM Aerospace headquarters at 9045 Lincoln Boulevard in Westchester, Los Angeles. The school's programs, accredited by the WSCUC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include BFA and MFA degrees.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 73% freshman retention rate and 61% graduation rate suggest a meaningful share of students don't make it through, which is worth probing before you commit. On the upside, the Los Angeles location gives serious art and design students access to one of the best creative industry ecosystems in the country, and median earnings of $52,400 a decade out are modest but reasonable for a BFA-focused school. With $27,000 in median debt, the financial risk is manageable — just go in with a clear plan for how you'll use the degree, because outcomes here depend heavily on the student.

Founded
1918
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,491

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts96%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Edith HeadKim GordonEvan SpiegelDamon Wayans Jr.Philip GustonMarisol EscobarHana Mae LeeTyrus WongMarc DavisBas Jan AderBob ClampettJack Hannah

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1310
Reading 75th %ile720
Math 75th %ile675

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$56,488
Out-of-State Tuition
$56,488
Avg Net Price
$51,248
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$44,731
$30–48k$44,821
$48–75k$28,167
$75–110k$52,495
$110k+$60,718

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants34%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
66%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
74%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$37,900
Female graduates$33,800

Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$35,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White25%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino23%
Asian19%
Two or more races7%
International19%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,223 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Otis College of Art and Design

9045 Lincoln Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90045-3505

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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