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2023 Best Value Colleges for Graphic Design (Income $30-$48k) in California

12 Ranked Colleges
1,327 Degrees Awarded
$27,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 8,710 people earned their degree in graphic design, making the major the 107th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 1,327 graphic design graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 12 colleges that offered a degree in graphic design. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great graphic design programs and cost less that 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 graphic design program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Graphic Design (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 31 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Fresno State Graphic Design Report

2
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jose State University landed the #2 spot on the list. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 19 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $13,378 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Graphic Design Report

3

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #3 spot on the list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for California Graphic Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Graphic Design at California State University - Sacramento

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s graphic design degrees to 113 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Cal Poly Pomona

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 25 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k list, FIDM Los Angeles has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $41,318 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIDM Los Angeles.

Read full report on Graphic Design at FIDM Los Angeles

6
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 99 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Art Center College of Design not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list. It costs about $43,406 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Art Center College of Design.

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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Graphic Design at Art Center College of Design

7
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Orange, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

Chapman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman is $32,071 for California Graphic Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Chapman

8
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Otis College of Art and Design is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Otis College of Art and Design also made our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Otis College of Art and Design is $40,153 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Otis College of Art and Design

9
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

With a ranking of #9, Laguna College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Laguna College of Art and Design is located in Laguna Beach, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s graphic design degrees to qualified students.

LCAD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list. It costs about $33,283 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LCAD.

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 full report on Graphic Design at LCAD

10

With a ranking of #10, California Institute of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valencia, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic design degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

CalArts also made our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $51,512 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CalArts.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Graphic Design at California Institute of the Arts

11
Platt College - San Diego crest
Platt College - San Diego
San Diego, California

Platt College - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Platt College - San Diego is a private for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Platt College - San Diego also took the #11 spot in our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Platt College - San Diego is $18,988 for California Graphic Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Platt College - San Diego

12
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

With a ranking of #12, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Hollywood, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 47 degrees to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

LA Film School also made our “Best Graphic Design Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Film School is $33,225 for california graphic design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Los Angeles Film School

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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