Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Otis College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 18/100, Otis College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,152 — 8% above average — while paying $51,248/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Otis College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Otis College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #94 of 106 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #94 | Otis College of Art and Design | 18 | $51,248 | $58,152 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Otis College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in CA.
Best Programs at Otis College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Otis College of Art and Design is Design and Applied Arts at $36,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $13,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Otis College of Art and Design earns $36,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $13,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $51,248/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,300 | $36,300 | $27,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $13,200 | $13,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Student Body
- 1,223 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $51,248
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,152
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000