2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in California. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $41,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,448 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,359. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,583 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Chabot College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts 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.
Norco College landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the fine arts program here. 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 #8 for value in fine arts this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University East Bay ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $33,220. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,879. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $20,203. That is a strong return on a $15,879 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. 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, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,635. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $50,958. Set against $17,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $18,511. Soon after graduation, fine arts 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 Santa Barbara came in at #16 for value in fine arts 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, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,978 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $16,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Sonoma State University landed the #17 spot for fine arts value this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $18,460. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $29,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cabrillo College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #19 spot for fine arts 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,254. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $20,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,990. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $22,628. That is a strong return on a $14,990 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,061. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,741. That is a strong return on a $15,061 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #22 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,198 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $36,006. That is a strong return on a $19,198 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #23 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,899. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,186. That is a strong return on a $9,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #24 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,500. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,106. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Redlands landed the #25 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,175. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
