2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
19
Ranked Colleges
1,301
Degrees Awarded
$21,600
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 6,355 people earned their degree in general visual and performing arts, making the major the 116th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,134 and had an average of $26,019 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,301 general visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,844 and $25,361 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in general visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general visual and performing arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The visual arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 99 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $9,823 for far western us region visual 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at UCSD
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 13 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $1,887 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles General Visual & Performing Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.
USC also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,287 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Southern California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Channel Islands. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUCI is a medium-sized public school situated in Camarillo, California. It awarded 20 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUCI also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $12,011 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Channel Islands
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Oregon University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized school located in Ashland, Oregon that handed out 45 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Oregon University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $7,068 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Oregon University.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Oregon University
With a ranking of #6, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 59 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $9,397 for Far Western US Region Visual 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%.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - San Marcos
San Jose State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,158 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full San Jose State University General Visual & Performing Arts Report
With a ranking of #8, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Diego Mesa College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $4,672 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego Mesa College
Oregon State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and it awarded 3 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Oregon State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State is $15,242 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Oregon State University
With a ranking of #10, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific University is $26,548 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Azusa Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, SPU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SPU is $20,772 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Seattle Pacific University General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Seattle University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 10 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Seattle U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Seattle U is $25,304 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.
Full Seattle U General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 63 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $33,484 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Academy of Art University General Visual & Performing Arts Report
With a ranking of #14, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USFCA is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 14 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $32,023 for Far Western US Region Visual 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 General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Columbia College Hollywood did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Columbia College Hollywood is located in Tarzana, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.
Columbia College Hollywood also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $31,954 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Columbia College Hollywood General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Otis College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Otis College of Art and Design is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 52 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Otis College of Art and Design not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $40,627 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Otis College of Art and Design.
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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Otis College of Art and Design General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Pacific Northwest College of Art came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pacific Northwest College of Art has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pacific Northwest College of Art is $29,983 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Pacific Northwest College of Art
With a ranking of #18, Gnomon did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gnomon is located in Hollywood, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.
Gnomon also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $39,323 for far western us region visual arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gnomon.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Gnomon General Visual & Performing Arts Report
San Francisco Art Institute landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco Art Institute is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
SFAI also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco Art Institute is $40,409 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at SFAI
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
