Otis College vs Harvard
Otis College of Art and Design and Harvard University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their offerings and student experiences. Otis College, a specialized art and design school in Los Angeles, boasts a tight-knit community and an acceptance rate of 75%, while Harvard, a world-renowned research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is highly selective with an acceptance rate of just 5%. While both institutions offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Otis College excels in art and design disciplines, while Harvard is known for its strength in a wide array of fields, including social sciences, humanities, and STEM. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional institutions, including popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Harvard University |
![]() Otis College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 78.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.0% | 79.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$105
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1480 - 1580 | 1130 - 1360 |
ACT range | 33 - 36 | 20 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 54.0% | 13.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 57,786 | 2,284 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,318 | 1,823 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,951 | 263 |
Yield rate | 84.2% | 14.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,028 | $70,802 |
Average net price | $13,910 | $45,402 |
Tuition | $51,143 | $47,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,705
Meal plan:
$7,236
|
$15,744 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
56.0%
Average amount $59,840 |
100.0%
Average amount $21,593 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
3.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,811 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $8,080 |
5.0%
Average amount $26,799 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0% |
1,197
Men 30.5% Women 69.5% |
Graduate students |
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
55
Men 18.2% Women 81.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 23.9% | 30.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 12,874 | 403 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 96.7% | 68.6% |
Dropout rate | 2.0% | 31.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
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Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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