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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Graphic Design in California

74 Ranked Colleges
1,327 Degrees Awarded
$38,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Graphic Design is the 107th most popular major in the country with 8,710 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

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

This year’s “Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California” ranking analyzed 74 colleges that offered a degree in graphic design. To top this list, a school must have a successful graphic design program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

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 “Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California”.

1

Out of the 74 schools in the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 113 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full Cal Poly Pomona Graphic Design Report

2
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Out of the 74 schools in the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Art Center College of Design landed the #2 spot on the list. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 99 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Art Center College of Design

3
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

Out of the 74 schools in the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Baptist University landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 52 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Baptist Graphic Design Report

4
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Los Angeles Film School. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. LA Film School is a medium-sized school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 47 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Los Angeles Film School

5
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sierra College. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California. Sierra College is located in Rocklin, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s graphic design degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Sierra College

6

California State University - Sacramento ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California 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.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Graphic Design at California State University - Sacramento

7
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Platt College - San Diego
San Diego, California

Platt College - San Diego landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 33 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at Platt College - San Diego

8

California State University - Fresno came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 31 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Graphic Design Report

9
SMC crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Santa Monica College is a large school located in Santa Monica, California that handed out 43 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Santa Monica College

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 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. Laguna Beach, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic design degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

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 LCAD Graphic Design Report

11

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 25 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Full FIDM Los Angeles Graphic Design Report

12
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 2.1% 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 Chapman Graphic Design Report

13
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California

Foothill College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, this fairly large public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Foothill College

14
MSJC crest
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, California

Mt. San Jacinto College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Jacinto, California, and it awarded 20 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at MSJC

15
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #15, San Diego City College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. San Diego City College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s graphic design degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Graphic Design at San Diego City College

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

With a ranking of #15, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Graphic Design at San Jose State

17
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 15 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Otis College of Art and Design Graphic Design Report

18
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Golden West College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking, coming in at #18. Golden West College is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington Beach, California. It awarded 20 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at Golden West College

18
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

Cerritos College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. This fairly large school is located in Norwalk, California, and it awarded 14 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at Cerritos College

20
Platt College - Ontario crest
Platt College - Ontario
Ontario, California

With a ranking of #20, Platt College - Ontario did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. Platt College - Ontario is a small private for-profit school situated in Ontario, California. It awarded 13 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Graphic Design at Platt College - Ontario

20
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

With a ranking of #20, Southwestern College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. Located in Chula Vista, California, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Graphic Design at Southwestern College

20
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, California

De Anza College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking, coming in at #20. De Anza College is a fairly large public school situated in Cupertino, California. It awarded 20 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at De Anza College

20
PLNU crest
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. Point Loma Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 13 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full PLNU Graphic Design Report

24

California Institute of the Arts landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Located in Valencia, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

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%. 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.

Full California Institute of the Arts Graphic Design Report

25
Irvine Valley College crest
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, California

Irvine Valley College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California ranking. Irvine Valley College is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Irvine Valley College Graphic Design Report

25
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, California

Butte College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. Located in Oroville, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s graphic design students in 2020-2021.

Full Butte College Graphic Design Report

25
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

With a ranking of #25, College of the Canyons did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Graphic Design Major in California list. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 17 ’s graphic design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Graphic Design at College of the Canyons

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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