2023 Best Value Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
28
Ranked Colleges
1,484
Degrees Awarded
$16,100
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Fine Arts is the 66th most popular major in the country with 11,922 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 1,484 fine arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in fine arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent fine arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the fine arts program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 66 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Fine Arts at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 323 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full California State University - Fullerton Fine Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 204 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $6,663 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.
Full CSULB Fine Arts Report
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,568 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.
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 1.8% 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 California - Santa Barbara Fine Arts Report
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 46 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $10,006 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.
Read more about Fine Arts at University of California - Davis
With a ranking of #6, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.
UCSD also made our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $9,823 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Fine Arts at University of California - San Diego
University of Southern California came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.
USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,287 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full USC Fine Arts Report
San Jose State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 147 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full San Jose State University Fine Arts Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 49 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,173 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Fine Arts at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.
Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at Cal State East Bay
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Fine Arts Report
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,163 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at Sac State
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Stan State Fine Arts Report
With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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%.
Read more about Fine Arts at California State University - San Bernardino
San Diego State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,169 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Diego State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Fine Arts at SDSU
California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 31 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $11,754 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at California State University - Chico
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #18, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, SSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,803 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sonoma State University.
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%.
Read more about Fine Arts at Sonoma State University
University of Redlands landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Redlands is $20,409 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Fine Arts at University of Redlands
With a ranking of #20, California College of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
California College of the Arts also made our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend California College of the Arts is $29,530 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national 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 Fine Arts at California College of the Arts
University of San Francisco landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USFCA is $32,023 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 University of San Francisco Fine Arts Report
Biola University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. La Mirada, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Biola has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $27,024 for california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Biola.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Biola Fine Arts Report
Loyola Marymount University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount is $32,730 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University
Art Center College of Design came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Art Center College of Design, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Art Center College of Design is $40,209 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at Art Center College of Design
California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. CalArts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts also took the #20 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $52,801 for California Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California Institute of the Arts.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Fine Arts at CalArts
