2026 Best Art Studies Schools in California
Art Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 159 schools to find the best for art studies students.
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Best Schools for Art Studies in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall art studies education in California.
Top Schools in Art Studies
No school ranked higher than University Of San Diego this year for art studies. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 art studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $68,281 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
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University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 19 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $50,161. Typical student debt for the program is $21,125.
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A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for art studies. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 art studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Students looking for a strong art studies program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 63 art studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their art studies degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $21,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
More information about a degree in art studies from University Of California Los Angeles
California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 148 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Art Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $41,350 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $16,448 in student loans.
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California State University East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 art studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Art Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in art studies from California State University East Bay
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for art studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 35 art studies degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Art Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886.
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California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best art studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 325 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $25,359. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in art studies from California State University Northridge
Sonoma State University earned the #9 position for art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 art studies students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $29,035. Typical student debt for the program is $18,460.
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California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best art studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 227 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,493. Typical student debt for the program is $16,583.
See the full art studies program report for California State University Long Beach
University Of California Irvine came in at #11 for art studies this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 92 art studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their art studies degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $20,128 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $17,635 in student loans.
More information about a degree in art studies from University Of California Irvine
California State University Sacramento earned the #12 position for art studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 41 art studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $20,203 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,879 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in art studies from California State University Sacramento
University Of California Riverside landed the #13 spot for art studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 30 art studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art studies degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $21,792 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the art studies program at University Of California Riverside
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #14 for art studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 art studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,106. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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California State University Chico placed #15 among the best art studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 36 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Art Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $22,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,990.
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San Diego State University earned the #16 position for art studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 278 art studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their art studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $23,186 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,899.
See the full art studies program report for San Diego State University
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #17 position for art studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 art studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Students borrow a median of $15,063 to complete this degree.
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Azusa Pacific University landed the #18 spot for art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 18 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Art Studies graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $49,560 early in their careers. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $24,495 in student loans.
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California State University Bakersfield placed #19 among the best art studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bakersfield. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 24 art studies degrees were awarded at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent year.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best art studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 49 art studies degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Art Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
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San Francisco State University earned the #21 position for art studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 55 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $24,606 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,511.
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California State University Channel Islands earned the #22 position for art studies this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 art studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $22,129 in their early career. California State University Channel Islands graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full art studies program report for California State University Channel Islands
Diablo Valley College landed the #23 spot for art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. About 25 art studies degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Art Studies graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
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Moorpark College placed #24 among the best art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. There were roughly 39 art studies students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075.
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California State University Fresno ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best art studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 85 art studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $22,167. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies ranking:
More Art Studies Rankings
View All Art Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 159 schools evaluated.
- 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.
