2025 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in California

1

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Every student pursuing a degree in design & applied arts has to look into FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles. FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

There were roughly 274 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at FIDM Los Angeles in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, design degree recipients generally earn about $24,724 at the beginning of their careers.

2

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California is a wonderful decision for students interested in a degree in design & applied arts. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 84 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from University of Southern California earn $31,863 more than the standard design grad.

3

Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA

Any student who is interested in design & applied arts has to look into Art Center College of Design. Located in the midsize city of Pasadena, Art Center College of Design is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were approximately 264 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College of Design in the most recent data year. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Art Center College of Design receive $14,070 more than the typical design graduate.

4

University of California - Davis
Davis, CA

It's difficult to beat University of California - Davis if you want to pursue a degree in design & applied arts. Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Davis is a great university overall.

There were about 244 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the design program earn around $32,816 for their early career.

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Orange. A Best Colleges rank of #172 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Chapman is a great university overall.

There were roughly 32 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts program at Chapman University earn $13,536 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

6

University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 47 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from University of California - Los Angeles make $24,632 more than the average design student.

7

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

SFSU is a very large public university located in the large city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were about 202 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the design program make about $34,845 for their early career.

8

Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Otis College of Art and Design is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were approximately 132 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Otis College of Art and Design in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $31,172.

9

California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

CSULB is a very large public university located in the large city of Long Beach. This university ranks 36th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 121 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from California State University - Long Beach earn $4,412 more than the average design graduate.

10

California College of the Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of San Francisco.

There were approximately 125 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at California College of the Arts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design degree recipients generally earn an average of $28,673 at the beginning of their careers.