“Los Angeles' first independent professional art school, offering BFA and MFA programs since 1918.”
Otis College of Art and Design is a private art and design school in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1918, it was the city's first independent professional school of art, with its main campus in the former IBM Aerospace headquarters in Westchester.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Illustration (Animation Career Review)
Animation Career Review 2024
Toy Design
Animation Career Review 2024
Fashion Design (Fashionista)
Fashionista 2023
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action (Fall)
Non-binding; priority scholarship consideration
Priority (Fall)
Priority for scholarship; rolling admission afterward
Priority (Spring)
Spring entry; rolling afterward
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$56,488
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Among the most highly regarded fashion design programs in the United States. Students complete part of their coursework at the California Market Center in downtown LA's garment district. Senior collections are mentored by leading designers and shown at the annual Otis Fashion Show.
Trains concept artists, environment artists, and game designers for the LA video-game and entertainment industries. Faculty include working artists from Riot Games, Naughty Dog, and major animation studios.
The first BFA in Toy Design in the United States and one of the most recognized in the world. Direct industry partnerships with Mattel, Hasbro, and Hot Wheels.
Strong programs in editorial, narrative, and concept-art illustration. Concept Art track has direct lines into LA's animation and game industries.
Cross-disciplinary studio practice spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and new genres. Strong visiting artist program and connection to the LA contemporary art scene.
Otis offers MFA programs in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. Programs are small and highly individualized.
4 years
Otis's flagship program, partly housed in the California Market Center in downtown LA. Each senior class produces a runway show with industry mentors that has launched designers into Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, and major LA-based labels.
4 years
The first dedicated BFA in toy design in the United States. Students work on real briefs from industry partners including Mattel and Hot Wheels and graduate directly into LA toy design studios.
4 years
Concept-art-heavy program training students for LA's video-game, animation, and film industries. Choose a focus in Game Design or Concept Art. STEM-designated for international students.
4 years
Editorial, narrative, and concept-art illustration tracks. The Concept Art track is a direct pipeline to the LA animation and gaming industries.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $56,488
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
