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Biola University vs Otis College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, La Mirada CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Biola University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,980 in 15 years versus 20.9 years at Otis College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $56,778 vs $58,152 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBiola UniversityOtis College of Art and Design
Net price / yr$31,495$51,248
Total net cost$125,980$204,992
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,778$58,152
Median debt$23,875$27,000
Payback15 yrs20.9 yrs
20-year net return$42,380-$9,152

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design?

Biola University, at $31,495 a year after aid versus $51,248 — a gap of $19,753 a year, or $79,012 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design graduates earn more?

Otis College of Art and Design graduates report a median $58,152 ten years after entry, $1,374 more than the $56,778 at Biola University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design?

Biola University: its completers carry a median $23,875 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Otis College of Art and Design, a difference of $3,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Biola University, against 66% at Otis College of Art and Design. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Biola University vs Otis College of Art and Design: frequently asked questions

Is Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design a better value?
Biola University. It clears its $125,980 net cost in about 15 years versus 20.9 years at Otis College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $56,778 vs $58,152 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design?
Biola University: $31,495/yr net price after aid versus $51,248/yr at Otis College of Art and Design — a difference of $19,753 a year, or about $79,012 over four years.
Do Biola University or Otis College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
Otis College of Art and Design graduates earn a median $58,152 ten years after entry, versus $56,778 at Biola University — a $1,374 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.