2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in California. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,075. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $11,306. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College placed #12 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Golden West College placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Reedley College landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $6,500. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #19 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Norco College placed #24 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,087. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
