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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
228 Degrees Awarded
$32,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Fine Arts is the 67th most popular major in the country with 12,032 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across California, there were 1,478 fine arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 228 fine arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in fine arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality fine arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the fine arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford Fine Arts Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Fine Arts at California State University - Fullerton

#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 3 masters’s fine arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Fine Arts Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Fine Arts Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 13 masters’s fine arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSULB Fine Arts Report

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #16 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine Arts at CSUN

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s fine arts students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Fine Arts Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s fine arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Fine Arts Report

#20 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also took the #20 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine Arts at California State University - San Bernardino

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#10 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State Fine Arts Report

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10 masters’s fine arts degrees in 2019-2020.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read full report on Fine Arts at University of Southern California

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Fine Arts at San Francisco State University

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chico State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read more about Fine Arts at California State University - Chico

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #17 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz

#15

Mills College

Oakland, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Mills College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mills College is located in Oakland, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Mills not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mills College are $36,263.

Read more about Fine Arts at Mills College

#16

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California
#4 in overall quality

California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

California College of the Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California College of the Arts are $53,795.

Read more about Fine Arts at California College of the Arts

#17

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Art Center College of Design did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Art Center College of Design are $49,090, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Art Center College of Design

#18

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#9 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. California Institute of the Arts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 16 masters’s fine arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, CalArts has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine Arts at CalArts

#19

San Francisco Art Institute

San Francisco, California
#6 in overall quality

San Francisco Art Institute did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s fine arts degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFAI, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco Art Institute are $48,250, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Fine Arts at SFAI

#20

Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, California
#13 in overall quality

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Otis College of Art and Design is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Otis College of Art and Design did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Otis College of Art and Design are $49,680, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Otis College of Art and Design

#21

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna Beach, California
#18 in overall quality

Laguna College of Art and Design ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. LCAD is a private not-for-profit institution located in Laguna Beach, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, LCAD has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Laguna College of Art and Design are $37,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Laguna College of Art and Design

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jorge Royan.

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