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2027 Rankings for California Institute of the Arts

What ranking badges has CalArts received from College Factual? Any College Factual rankings and awards CalArts has earned will be listed on this page.

CalArts received 2 ranking badges across College Factual’s 2027 analysis.

Top Rankings for CalArts:

#10 out of 77	#10 out of 69

CalArts also offers graduate programs. View its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/california-institute-of-the-arts/rankings/) for graduate-degree badges and placements.

Ranking Highlights

• Quality Rankings
  • Best Colleges Ranking
  • Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking
  • Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking
• Best for the Money Rankings
  • Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking
  • Best Value Costume Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking
  • Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking

How CalArts Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

Top Ranked Majors

CalArts has 135 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	4	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	4	View Report
Best Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	3	View Report
Best Acting Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Acting Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	4	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	3	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Schools in California	2	6	View Report
Best Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	4	View Report
Best Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools in California	3	5	View Report
Best Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	5	View Report
Best Photography Schools in California	3	8	View Report
Best Photography Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	8	View Report
Best Jazz Studies Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in California	3	6	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	8	View Report
Best Jazz Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	4	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools	4	10	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	7	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	6	12	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	16	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	7	13	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	7	17	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in California	8	36	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	41	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	14	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	18	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Schools in California	9	53	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	59	View Report
Best General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	9	View Report
Best General Dance Schools in California	9	10	View Report
Best Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	9	View Report
Best Dance Schools in California	9	11	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	14	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools in California	10	69	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools in the Far Western US Region	10	77	View Report
Best Graphic Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	10	12	View Report
Best General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	12	View Report
Best General Dance Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	13	View Report
Best Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	12	View Report
Best Dance Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	14	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	17	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools	13	20	View Report
Best Creative Writing Schools in California	14	14	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Schools in California	14	28	View Report
Best Jazz Studies Schools	15	19	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Schools	16	30	View Report
Best Graphic Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	17	19	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region	17	33	View Report
Best Writing Studies Schools in California	18	18	View Report
Best Computer Software & Applications Schools in California	19	24	View Report
Best Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools	19	26	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	19	25	View Report
Best Music Theory & Composition Schools	19	28	View Report
Best General Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	20	21	View Report
Best Graphic Design Schools in California	24	46	View Report
Best Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools	24	36	View Report
Best Fine Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	24	25	View Report
Best Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools	25	31	View Report
Best Fine Arts Schools in California	25	26	View Report
Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	26	32	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California	26	43	View Report
Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	27	31	View Report
Best General Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	27	32	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools	28	69	View Report
Best Acting Schools	28	45	View Report
Best Creative Writing Schools in the Far Western US Region	29	30	View Report
Best Photography Schools	29	49	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	29	36	View Report
Best Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Far Western US Region	31	41	View Report
Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in California	31	60	View Report
Best General Music Schools in California	31	46	View Report
Best Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	32	41	View Report
Best Fine Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	32	33	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools	33	77	View Report
Best Fine Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region	33	34	View Report
Best Graphic Design Schools in the Far Western US Region	34	58	View Report
Best Writing Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	36	37	View Report
Best Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	36	42	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools	37	136	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region	37	57	View Report
Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region	39	72	View Report
Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	41	49	View Report
Best General Music Schools in the Far Western US Region	41	58	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools	44	99	View Report
Best Music Schools in California	44	64	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Schools	45	192	View Report
Best Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	45	58	View Report
Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California	46	81	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	47	49	View Report
Best General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools	51	90	View Report
Best Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools	52	92	View Report
Best General Dance Schools	53	95	View Report
Best Dance Schools	54	98	View Report
Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	55	69	View Report
Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region	57	83	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools	63	310	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	66	70	View Report

How CalArts Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

CalArts has 183 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Costume Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Costume Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Costume Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Costume Design Schools in California	2	2	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Value Costume Design Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	6	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Jazz Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Value Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools in California	5	6	View Report
Best Value Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	6	View Report
Best Value Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value Acting Schools in California	5	7	View Report
Best Value Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	5	7	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	7	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	7	12	View Report
Best Value Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in the Far Western US Region	7	7	View Report
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	7	7	View Report
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the Far Western US Region	7	7	View Report
Best Value Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	13	View Report
Best Value General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	9	View Report
Best Value Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	9	View Report
Best Value Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	10	View Report
Best Value Costume Design Bachelor's Degree Schools	8	8	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	11	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	11	View Report
Best Value Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	10	View Report
Best Value Jazz Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	8	View Report
Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	8	View Report
Best Value Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	14	View Report
Best Value Acting Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	11	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in California	9	12	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	12	View Report
Best Value Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	10	View Report
Best Value Other Music Schools in California	9	10	View Report
Best Value General Dance Schools in California	10	11	View Report
Best Value Dance Schools in California	10	11	View Report
Best Value Graphic Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	10	13	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	16	View Report
Best Value General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	12	View Report
Best Value Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	12	View Report
Best Value Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	12	17	View Report
Best Value Costume Design Schools	12	12	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	12	16	View Report
Best Value Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	18	View Report
Best Value General Dance Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	14	View Report
Best Value Dance Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	14	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	13	16	View Report
Best Value Creative Writing Schools in California	14	16	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	14	19	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in California	14	17	View Report
Best Value Writing Studies Schools in California	15	17	View Report
Best Value Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	15	16	View Report
Best Value Other Music Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	17	View Report
Best Value Photography Schools in California	17	19	View Report
Best Value Graphic Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	18	22	View Report
Best Value Photography Schools in the Far Western US Region	20	22	View Report
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in California	21	24	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	21	23	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	21	24	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	22	25	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Schools in California	22	24	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region	22	25	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in California	27	31	View Report
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	28	31	View Report
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	28	31	View Report
Best Value Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools	29	29	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in California	29	30	View Report
Best Value Fine Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	30	34	View Report
Best Value Creative Writing Schools in the Far Western US Region	31	33	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region	31	36	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	32	36	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	32	34	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in the Far Western US Region	33	34	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Schools	33	34	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Schools in the Far Western US Region	33	35	View Report
Best Value Writing Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	34	36	View Report
Best Value General Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	34	35	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Bachelor's Degree Schools	35	39	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Bachelor's Degree Schools	35	41	View Report
Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California	35	39	View Report
Best Value Directing & Theatrical Production Schools	37	41	View Report
Best Value Other Computer Software & Media Applications Schools	38	40	View Report
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Far Western US Region	38	41	View Report
Best Value Drama & Theater Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	38	41	View Report
Best Value Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	39	42	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California	40	43	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Schools	40	41	View Report
Best Value Fine Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	41	45	View Report
Best Value Playwriting & Screenwriting Schools	42	48	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in California	43	48	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

The rankings above are built on federal education data, 2027 edition.

• 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 earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.