Organizer Information
Otis College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit institution specializing in art, design, and creative education. Located in Los Angeles, California, the college offers undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs and graduate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs. Its academic offerings include animation, fashion design, fine arts, game and entertainment design, graphic design, illustration, product design, and toy design. The college also provides continuing education and non-degree opportunities through Otis Extension.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Otis College of Art and Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, continuing education
- Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Animation, Fashion Design, Game and Entertainment Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Product Design, Toy Design
- Relevant Programs: BFA in Animation; BFA in Fashion Design; BFA in Fine Arts; BFA in Game and Entertainment Design; BFA in Graphic Design; BFA in Illustration; BFA in Product Design; BFA in Toy Design; MFA in Fine Arts; MFA in Graphic Design
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are open for eligible programs.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate priority deadlines: 1 October for Spring and 15 February for Fall; graduate deadlines vary by program and semester.
- Start of Studies: Fall and Spring for undergraduate programs; Fall for MFA Graphic Design and Fall or Spring for MFA Fine Arts
- Application Fee: $0 through the Otis application for eligible undergraduate and graduate applicants; $50 may apply to other undergraduate application routes.
- Tuition: $55,744 per academic year for full-time BFA and MFA students in 2026–2027.
- Funding: Merit-based scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Otis College offers programs across visual arts, applied design, and creative industries. Undergraduate students can pursue the following BFA disciplines:
- Animation
- Fashion Design
- Fine Arts
- Game and Entertainment Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Product Design
- Toy Design
The Fine Arts BFA includes areas of emphasis such as Painting, Photography, and Sculpture/New Genres. Animation and other programs also offer discipline-specific emphases. The graduate curriculum comprises the MFA in Fine Arts and MFA in Graphic Design.
General Eligibility
- Otis College accepts applications from domestic and international students. Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year or transfer students, subject to the applicable admission route. Graduate applicants must have earned, or expect to earn, a bachelor's degree before entering an MFA program. Applicants must meet the academic, portfolio, and language requirements applicable to their selected program.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: First-year applicants entering college for the first time and eligible transfer applicants may apply to BFA programs.
- Graduate: Applicants to the MFA programs must hold, or be completing, a bachelor's degree.
- Transfer applicants: Required academic records include transcripts from previous educational institutions, as applicable to the applicant category.
- Program-specific preparation: Portfolio expectations depend on the selected discipline and study level.
The college's official admissions pages should be consulted for transfer-credit rules and any additional program-specific academic conditions.
Language Requirements
- English proficiency requirements apply to international applicants whose primary or native language is not English.
- For undergraduate BFA admission, Otis recognizes the following minimum scores:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 79 or 4.5, as listed by Otis |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| Pearson Test of English | 58 |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 |
- For MFA admission, the published minimums are TOEFL iBT 79 or 4.5, IELTS 6.5, Pearson Test of English 58, or Duolingo English Test 105. Applicants who completed a bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction may qualify for an exemption. Otis also lists exemptions for certain native English speakers educated in specified countries. Applicants should confirm their individual circumstances with Admissions.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate using the Otis application | $0 |
| First-year undergraduate using the Common Application | $50 |
| Transfer applicant using the Otis application | $0 |
| Graduate MFA applicant using the Otis application | $0 |
- The published fee-waiver policy also covers specified eligible groups, including veterans and alumni of Summer of Art, Portfolio Prep, CSSSA, and Ryman Arts. Confirm the applicable fee before submitting through a different application route.
Tuition
| Study level | Applicant type | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFA | Domestic and international | $27,872 | Per semester |
| MFA | Domestic and international | $27,872 | Per semester |
| Undergraduate, below 12 or above 18 units | Applicable students | $2,323 per unit | Per credit |
| Graduate, below 9 units or above 18 units | Applicable students | $3,097 per unit | Per credit |
Additional charges include a technology fee of $313, a health center fee of $502, and a student activity fee of $300 per semester. The published Fall health insurance charge is $1,213; the Spring/Summer estimate is $1,734 and is subject to change. Studio course materials fees vary by course. Housing, meal plans, books, and living expenses are separate budget items, with some meal plans mandatory for residential students.
Funding & Financial Support
- Otis offers merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and other financial assistance. Incoming students are considered for merit scholarships based on academic achievement, artistic merit, and the quality of their admissions materials. The college's published scholarship range begins at $7,000 per year and can reach 50% of tuition, subject to eligibility and award conditions.
- International students are eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and are automatically considered during admissions. Continuing international students may apply for additional scholarships after completing their first year. Full-tuition scholarships are not currently available to international students.
- The college also offers payment plans, and eligible international students may pursue approved on-campus employment opportunities under applicable F-1 visa rules. These options should not be treated as guaranteed funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- Otis provides discipline-specific studio and lab learning environments, academic instruction, and faculty mentorship. Graduate students can access individual studio sessions, visiting-artist engagement, and opportunities for critical discussion within their programs.
- International students can contact the admissions and financial aid teams for guidance on application documents, enrollment, funding, and international student requirements. Career Services can advise eligible international students about employment opportunities and the applicable approval process.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate BFA applicants
- Completed application through an accepted application system.
- Portfolio. Otis will not review an undergraduate application for admission without one.
- Personal statement of at least 500 words describing the applicant's background and interest in studying art and design.
- Academic transcripts; international applicants must provide official English translations for transcripts not issued in English.
- English proficiency test results, where applicable.
SAT and ACT scores are optional, not mandatory. International transfer applicants whose postsecondary studies were completed outside the United States, Japan, or Korea must submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation under the college's stated policy.
Graduate MFA applicants
- Completed online application.
- Resume.
- Program-specific statement: an artist statement for MFA Fine Arts; responses to the designated questions for MFA Graphic Design.
- Portfolio meeting the requirements for the selected program.
- English proficiency test results, where applicable.
Letters of recommendation are optional; applicants may submit up to three. Graduate portfolios generally require 15–20 works for the applicable fine arts requirements, while MFA Graphic Design requires 20 images. Applicants should follow the current program-specific portfolio instructions.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admissions
- Fall Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Spring Application Opens: 1 July 2026
- Fall Early Action Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Fall Priority Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Spring Priority Application Deadline: 1 October 2026
Graduate admissions
- Spring MFA Fine Arts Application Opens: 1 July 2027
- Fall Graduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Spring MFA Fine Arts Priority Deadline: 1 October 2026
- Fall MFA Fine Arts Priority Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Fall MFA Graphic Design Priority Deadline: 15 January 2027
Applications may continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after the priority deadline while places remain available.
Dates above are the recurring dates published on the official admissions pages. The college's current admissions pages advertise Fall 2027 and Spring 2027 applications; applicants should confirm the active cycle and deadline directly before applying.
Location
Otis College of Art and Design — Los Angeles, California, United States
Additional Details
- Otis offers eight undergraduate BFA program areas and two graduate MFA programs.
- International applicants should account for English-language documentation, translated transcripts, portfolio preparation, and financial documentation as applicable to their circumstances.
- International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans, according to the college's international funding guidance.
- The college's published financial information distinguishes tuition from estimated living costs; applicants should calculate their full budget using the official cost-of-attendance information.
- Portfolio content must represent the applicant's own skills and creative decisions. Otis requires disclosure of AI use in work descriptions when AI tools have contributed to a portfolio piece.