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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

55 Ranked Colleges
24,145 Degrees Awarded
$8,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 149,215 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,700 and had an average of $25,051 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 24,145 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,013 and $24,403 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 55 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in visual and performing arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality visual and performing 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 visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 285 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Berkeley

2

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 581 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for california visual & performing 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Los Angeles

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 653 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Fullerton

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 284 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Visual & Performing Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 515 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for California Visual & Performing 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.

Full UC Irvine Visual & Performing Arts Report

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 1,012 students in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at CSULB

7

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 398 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 269 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Visual & Performing 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%.

Full University of California - San Diego Visual & Performing Arts Report

9

University of California - Davis ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 454 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Davis

10
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,000 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,287 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full University of Southern California Visual & Performing Arts Report

11

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 311 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $6,810 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Riverside

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 558 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,266 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Northridge

13

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 140 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for california visual & performing 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at CSUSB

14
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 373 students in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $7,169 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego State University

15

California State University - Fresno ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 163 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,859 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Fresno

16
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #16, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 495 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,158 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 Visual & Performing Arts at San Jose State

17

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 70 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #9 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Visual & Performing Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

18

California State University - East Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 154 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,975 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Cal State East Bay

19

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 508 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #19 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california visual & performing 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Visual & Performing Arts Report

20

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 272 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Sacramento

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 646 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $10,705 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at SFSU

22

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 61 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stan State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Stanislaus

23

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

24

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $2,657 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 - Dominguez Hills Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 87 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $4,672 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego Mesa College

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