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2023 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in the Far Western US Region

82 Ranked Colleges
28,715 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Visual & Performing Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 149,215 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 the Far Western US region, there were 28,715 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,203 and $24,726 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 82 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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 visual and performing arts program at the school. 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 the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Spokane Falls Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Spokane, Washington, this small public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Spokane Falls Community College is $6,108 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

Full Spokane Falls Community College Visual & Performing Arts Report

2

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 1,012 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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 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%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Visual & Performing Arts Report

3
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 495 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual & performing arts students list, San Jose State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend San Jose 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full San Jose State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

4

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 653 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual & performing arts students list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

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 Cal State Fullerton Visual & Performing Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 558 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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

6
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 the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 646 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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 San Francisco State University

7
CSN crest
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada

With a ranking of #7, College of Southern Nevada did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSN is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSN is $7,019 for far western us region visual & performing arts students.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at College of Southern Nevada

8

California State University - East Bay landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 154 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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 Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - East Bay

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 140 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - San Bernardino

10

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 326 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 UNLV

11
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Western Washington University is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 229 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,070 for far western us region visual & performing arts students per year to attend WWU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at WWU

12
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 the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for far western us region visual & performing arts students per year to attend San Diego State University.

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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at SDSU

13

California State University - Fresno landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 163 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,230 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 - Fresno Visual & Performing Arts Report

14
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is located in La Jolla, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for National University is $20,722 for far western us region visual & performing arts students.

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 National University

15
BC crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Bellevue, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for BC is $8,343 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at BC

16
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. SSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 76 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $17,563 for far western us region visual & performing arts students.

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 Sonoma State University

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 276 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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 Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Chico

18

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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 $14,304 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Visual & Performing Arts Report

19

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual & performing arts students list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $20,677 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students 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 Visual & Performing Arts at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

20

California State University - Sacramento ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 272 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,178 for far western us region visual & performing arts students 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

21

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 284 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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

22

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Nevada - Reno is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 98 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Reno is $14,930 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

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 UNR

23
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Central Washington University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CWU is located in Ellensburg, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 135 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $16,514 for Far Western US Region Visual & Performing Arts students.

Full Central Washington University Visual & Performing Arts Report

24

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 85 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,928 for far western us region visual & performing arts students per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

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

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

San Diego Mesa College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,573 for far western us region visual & performing arts students per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego Mesa College

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