2026 Best Value Art History Schools in California
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art History Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art History Schools
For return on investment in art history, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,448 in student loans. Art History graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $41,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,879. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,203. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Reedley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Art History graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #6 for value in art history this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,750. Art History graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $21,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #7 position for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Art History graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #8 among the best values for art history. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Art History graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $14,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,218. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $21,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Miracosta College came in at #10 for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $17,635 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,128. Set against $17,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Los Angeles Harbor College earned the #12 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Los Angeles Harbor College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,568. Art History graduates carry a median of $11,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Los Angeles Harbor College generally make around $91,233. That is a strong return on a $11,488 median debt.
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,511 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $24,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #15 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $21,792. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #16 for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,978 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Sonoma State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $18,460 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $29,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $21,220 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #19 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Art History graduates carry a median of $13,254 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $20,368 early in their careers. Set against $13,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,061 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,741 early in their careers. Set against $15,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #21 among the best values for art history. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,106. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #22 position for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,495. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $49,560. Set against $24,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of San Diego came in at #23 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #24 position for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,041. Early-career art history graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #25 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,125. Art History graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $50,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Art History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:
More Art History Rankings
View All Art History Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- 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 graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
