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2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

30 Ranked Colleges
434 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Fine & Studio Arts is the 29th most popular major in the country with 39,860 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, fine and studio arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $23,847 and had an average of $28,316 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 6,942 fine and studio arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $23,810 and $30,915 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 434 fine and studio 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in fine and studio arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great fine and studio arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the fine and studio arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Fine & Studio Arts Schools

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 Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

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

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

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s Fine Arts students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. 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 University Fine & Studio Arts Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 5 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 18 degrees to qualified masters’s Fine Arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 - Fullerton are $17,892.

Full Cal State Fullerton Fine & Studio Arts Report

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s Fine Arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 University of California - Irvine are $28,456.

Full University of California - Irvine Fine & Studio Arts Report

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 Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at CSULB

California State University - Northridge came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 12 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Northridge Fine & Studio Arts Report

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Fine & Studio Arts Report

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 15 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s Fine Arts degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 UCR are $28,686.

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

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at California State University - Sacramento

#11

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#18 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at SDSU

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#15 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio 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.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at San Jose State

#14

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at UC Berkeley

University of California - Davis landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s Fine Arts degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Fine & Studio 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 University of California - Davis are $28,700.

Full UC Davis Fine & Studio Arts Report

#16

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Fine & Studio 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 UCSB are $28,670.

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

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 3 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at San Francisco State University

University of California - San Diego ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - San Diego Fine & Studio Arts Report

California State University - Chico came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 1 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students with aid list, Chico State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at California State University - Chico

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s Fine Arts students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #24 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at UC Santa Cruz

#21

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 30 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific also took the #9 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 Azusa Pacific are $16,571.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Azusa Pacific

#22

Mills College

Oakland, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Mills College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Mills College is located in Oakland, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

Mills also took the #16 spot in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 Mills are $36,263.

Full Mills Fine & Studio Arts Report

#23

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s Fine Arts degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Academy of Art University

#24

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree fine arts students with aid list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Fine & Studio 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 University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at USC

#25

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna Beach, California
#25 in overall quality

Laguna College of Art and Design landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Fine Arts Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Laguna College of Art and Design is a small school located in Laguna Beach, California that handed out 12 masters’s Fine Arts degrees in 2019-2020.

LCAD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 & Studio Arts at LCAD

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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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