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2023 Best Value Colleges for Fine & Studio Arts in California (With Aid)

43 Ranked Colleges
6,526 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 37,413 people earned their degree in fine and studio arts, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, fine and studio arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,051 and had an average of $25,492 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 6,526 fine and studio arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,004 and $23,549 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in fine and studio arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality fine and studio arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the fine and studio arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in California For Those Getting Aid” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Fine & Studio Arts in California (With Aid)

1

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 177 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,302 for California Fine Arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 & Studio Arts at California State University - Los Angeles

2

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 in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 419 diplomas to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Cal State Fullerton

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 424 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at CSULB

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 155 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for california fine arts students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Fine & Studio Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 307 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

CSUN also took the #24 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california fine arts students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Full CSUN Fine & Studio Arts Report

6

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s Fine Arts degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $8,107 for california fine arts students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 & Studio Arts at California State University - San Bernardino

7

University of California - Irvine came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 114 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at University of California - Irvine

8

University of California - Berkeley came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

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 & Studio Arts at University of California - Berkeley

9
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 216 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend San Jose State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Jose State Fine & Studio Arts Report

10

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fresno Fine & Studio Arts Report

11

University of California - Davis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 86 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for california fine arts students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at UC Davis

12

California State University - East Bay landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,298 for California Fine Arts students with aid per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full Cal State East Bay Fine & Studio Arts Report

13

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 119 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for california fine arts students with aid.

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 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 full report on Fine & Studio Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara

14

With a ranking of #14, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,240 for California Fine Arts students with aid per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at UCSD

15

University of California - Riverside ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s Fine Arts degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for California Fine Arts students with aid per year to attend UCR.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at University of California - Riverside

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s Fine Arts degrees to 230 students in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at SDSU

17

California State University - Sacramento ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 60 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,178 for California Fine Arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Sac State

18
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 30 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at San Diego Mesa College

19

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 35 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend Stan State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stan State Fine & Studio Arts Report

20
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Fine Arts students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at SFSU

21

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 45 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,026 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at CSUDH

22

With a ranking of #22, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,930 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz

23

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 65 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california fine arts students with aid list, Chico State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for california fine arts students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Chico State Fine & Studio Arts Report

24

With a ranking of #24, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california fine arts students with aid.

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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

25

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 65 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,928 for california fine arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 full report on Fine & Studio Arts at CSUCI

Notes and References

References

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