2023 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k) in California
31
Ranked Colleges
4,575
Degrees Awarded
$32,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Design & Applied Arts is the 36th most popular major in the country with 36,301 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $25,481 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 4,575 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,016 and $26,876 respectively.
This year’s “Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 31 colleges that offered a degree in design and applied arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality design and applied arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
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Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k) in California
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 141 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,054 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full CSULB Design & Applied Arts Report
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jose State University landed the #2 spot on the list. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california design students whose families make more than $110k list, San Jose State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State University Design & Applied Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego Mesa College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $5,573 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.
Full San Diego Mesa College Design & Applied Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Fresno State
Out of the 31 schools in the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Francisco State University landed the #5 spot on the list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 202 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at San Francisco State University
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california design students whose families make more than $110k list, Sac State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #7, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Cal Poly Pomona
University of California - Los Angeles ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UCLA
With a ranking of #9, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 228 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UC Davis
California State University - Chico came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 143 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,218 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Chico Design & Applied Arts Report
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 32 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,597 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend CSUMB.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay Design & Applied Arts Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSD Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 108 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UC Santa Cruz
Woodbury University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Burbank, California, and it awarded 30 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Woodbury, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $29,715 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Woodbury.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Woodbury Design & Applied Arts Report
Academy of Art University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 170 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $36,143 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Academy of Art University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Academy of Art University
University of Redlands landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Redlands, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $26,098 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Redlands.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Redlands Design & Applied Arts Report
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 288 students in 2020-2021.
FIDM Los Angeles not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $40,793 for california design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles.
Full FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles Design & Applied Arts Report
Cogswell College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Cogswell is a private for-profit institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Cogswell College is $25,714 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Cogswell College Design & Applied Arts Report
Columbia College Hollywood did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. Columbia College Hollywood is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tarzana, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $32,909 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Columbia College Hollywood Design & Applied Arts Report
California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. California College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
California College of the Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California College of the Arts is $33,122 for california design students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at California College of the Arts
University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 67 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $32,569 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Southern California.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full University of Southern California Design & Applied Arts Report
Otis College of Art and Design landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 129 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Otis College of Art and Design not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Otis College of Art and Design is $45,026 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Otis College of Art and Design
University of San Francisco came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. USFCA is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 29 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
USFCA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USFCA is $40,053 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of San Francisco
Design Institute of San Diego landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 18 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Design Institute of San Diego is $40,842 for California Design students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Design Institute of San Diego
