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

Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Jose CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Otis College of Art and Design has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $204,992 in 20.9 years versus 41.9 years at University of Silicon Valley, on median earnings of $58,152 vs $51,017 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOtis College of Art and DesignUniversity of Silicon Valley
Net price / yr$51,248$27,815
Total net cost$204,992$111,260
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,152$51,017
Median debt$27,000$31,000
Payback20.9 yrs41.9 yrs
20-year net return-$9,152-$58,120

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

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

University of Silicon Valley, at $27,815 a year after aid versus $51,248 — a gap of $23,433 a year, or $93,732 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Otis College of Art and Design graduates report a median $58,152 ten years after entry, $7,135 more than the $51,017 at University of Silicon Valley. 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, Otis College of Art and Design or University of Silicon Valley?

Otis College of Art and Design: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at University of Silicon Valley, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Otis College of Art and Design, against 29% at University of Silicon Valley. 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.

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

Is Otis College of Art and Design or University of Silicon Valley a better value?
Otis College of Art and Design. It clears its $204,992 net cost in about 20.9 years versus 41.9 years at University of Silicon Valley, on median earnings of $58,152 vs $51,017 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Otis College of Art and Design or University of Silicon Valley?
University of Silicon Valley: $27,815/yr net price after aid versus $51,248/yr at Otis College of Art and Design — a difference of $23,433 a year, or about $93,732 over four years.
Do Otis College of Art and Design or University of Silicon Valley graduates earn more?
Otis College of Art and Design graduates earn a median $58,152 ten years after entry, versus $51,017 at University of Silicon Valley — a $7,135 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.