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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Fine Arts in California

47 Ranked Colleges
1,484 Degrees Awarded
$38,200 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Fine Arts is the 66th most popular major in the country with 11,922 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across California, there were 1,484 fine arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California” ranking looked at 47 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in fine arts. To top this list, a school must have a successful fine arts program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Fine Arts Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California”.

1

Out of the 47 schools in the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #1 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 323 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Fine Arts at California State University - Fullerton

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 204 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Fine Arts at CSULB

3
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Fine Arts at San Jose State

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - East Bay. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State East Bay Fine Arts Report

5

Out of the 47 schools in the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Fine Arts at UC Berkeley

6

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 61 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSB Fine Arts Report

7
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #7, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University

8

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 49 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Fine Arts Report

9

University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at University of California - Davis

10

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #10. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 41 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at UCSD

11
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 38 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Art Center College of Design Fine Arts Report

12
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

With a ranking of #12, Laguna College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. LCAD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Laguna Beach, California. It awarded 35 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full LCAD Fine Arts Report

13
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

14

California State University - Chico ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 31 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Chico State

15

California Institute of the Arts landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. CalArts is located in Valencia, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at California Institute of the Arts

16
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Fine Arts at California College of the Arts

17
Mills crest
Mills College
Oakland, California

Mills College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Oakland, California, and it awarded 21 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Mills Fine Arts Report

17
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. Santa Clara, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Santa Clara University Fine Arts Report

19
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

With a ranking of #19, Biola University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. Biola is located in La Mirada, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Biola University

20
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #20. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at USC

21
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

With a ranking of #21, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. University of Redlands is located in Redlands, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at University of Redlands

22
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Art Institute came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. San Francisco Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 13 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Fine Arts at San Francisco Art Institute

23
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 12 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Stanford

23
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #23. San Francisco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USFCA Fine Arts Report

25
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Fine Arts Major in California list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 11 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University Fine Arts Report

Notes and References

References

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