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2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

14 Ranked Colleges
496 Degrees Awarded
$22,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

General Visual & Performing Arts is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,359 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, general visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $24,577 and had an average of $26,968 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,292 general visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,800 and $23,419 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 496 general visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in general visual and performing arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general visual and performing arts programs, but they also 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 general visual and performing arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 14 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Visual & Performing Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 116 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,974 for california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 students.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at UCSD

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Marcos landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 93 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $10,347 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM General Visual & Performing Arts Report

#3

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 bachelors’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USC is $16,252 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Southern California

#4

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 4 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $11,752 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at San Jose State University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Channel Islands. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUCI has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,497 for california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUCI General Visual & Performing Arts Report

#6

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

With a ranking of #6, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 65 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Azusa Pacific, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $23,272 for california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Azusa Pacific University General Visual & Performing Arts Report

#7

William Jessup University

Rocklin, California
#11 in overall quality

William Jessup University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. William Jessup University is a small school located in Rocklin, California that handed out 1 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

William Jessup University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend William Jessup University is $19,311 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at William Jessup University

#8

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

PLNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for PLNU is $24,654 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at PLNU

#9

Woodbury University

Burbank, California
#12 in overall quality

Woodbury University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Burbank, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified bachelors’s visual arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Woodbury has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Woodbury University is $21,184 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low 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%.

Full Woodbury University General Visual & Performing Arts Report

#10

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 10 bachelors’s visual arts degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $29,186 for california bachelor’s degree visual arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at USFCA

#11

Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Otis College of Art and Design is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Otis College of Art and Design, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $38,516 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Otis College of Art and Design.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The 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.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Otis College of Art and Design

#12

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 bachelors’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $34,125 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Academy of Art University

#13

Marymount California University

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

With a ranking of #13, Marymount California University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. MCU is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

MCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Marymount California University is $27,233 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Marymount California University

#14

San Francisco Art Institute

San Francisco, California
#13 in overall quality

San Francisco Art Institute landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s visual arts degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

SFAI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco Art Institute is $39,994 for California Bachelor’s Degree Visual Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at SFAI

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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.

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