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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

55 Ranked Colleges
24,145 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great visual and performing arts programs and cost less that 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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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

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 Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 285 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $13,423 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UC Berkeley

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 581 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $12,644 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at UCLA

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 653 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $9,017 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fullerton Visual & Performing Arts Report

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 $48-$75k. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 284 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,700 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k 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%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 515 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,275 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

6

California State University - Long Beach ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,012 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSULB has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $11,189 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 - Long Beach Visual & Performing Arts Report

7

University of California - Davis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 454 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $14,193 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of California - Davis Visual & Performing Arts Report

8

University of California - Riverside ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 311 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $11,126 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCR.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

9

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 269 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $14,310 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Visual & Performing Arts Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 398 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at UCSB

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $9,854 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSB Visual & Performing Arts Report

12

California State University - Fresno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $8,030 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 Fresno State

13
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 1,000 students 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 yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $22,826 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at USC

14

California State University - Northridge came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 558 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $10,780 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Visual & Performing Arts Report

15
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 495 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $17,338 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 86%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Jose State

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 373 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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 $14,698 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at SDSU

17

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 508 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #19 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

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

18

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. 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.

It costs about $12,602 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Sac State

19

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 61 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $7,976 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Stan State

20

California State University - East Bay ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 154 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - East Bay Visual & Performing Arts Report

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #21, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 646 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,065 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SFSU.

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 Visual & Performing Arts at SFSU

22

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

23
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #23, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 87 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $8,272 for california visual & performing arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full San Diego Mesa College Visual & Performing Arts Report

24

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,340 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Visual & Performing Arts Report

25

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 192 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $15,958 for California Visual & Performing Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Cal Poly Pomona

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