by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 12 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,918 associate degrees in visual & performing arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The visual & performing arts associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for visual & performing arts students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for visual & performing arts students seeking a an associate degree.
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, FIDM Los Angeles is a private for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles
It is hard to beat American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles
It's difficult to beat Academy of Art University if you wish to pursue an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Academy of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Academy of Art University
It is hard to beat Portland Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Portland Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Portland.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Portland Community College
Located in the large suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Shoreline Community College
Located in the large city of Seattle, Seattle Central is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Seattle Central College
Located in the midsize city of Bellevue, BC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Bellevue College
Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from College of Southern Nevada
Spokane Falls Community College is a small public college located in the city of Spokane.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Spokane Falls Community College
Located in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from New York Film Academy
Explore the best visual & performing arts schools for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 38 | 6,452 |
| Oregon | 35 | 225 |
| Nevada | 35 | 120 |
| Washington | 33 | 231 |
| Hawaii | 24 | 25 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 2,358 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 1,514 |
| Music | 1,015 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 720 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 719 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 493 |
| Dance | 83 |
| Other Visual Art | 10 |
| Arts & Media Management | 6 |
