19
Ranked Colleges
1,301
Degrees Awarded
$26,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
General Visual & Performing Arts is the 116th most popular major in the country with 6,355 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,134 and had an average of $26,019 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,301 general visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,844 and $25,361 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in general visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general visual and performing arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 99 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
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 General Visual & Performing Arts at UCSD
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 13 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
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 General Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Los Angeles
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Channel Islands landed the #3 spot on the list. CSUCI is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students with aid list, CSUCI has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $14,928 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid per year to attend CSUCI.
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%.
Full California State University - Channel Islands General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Marcos landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $13,218 for far western us region visual arts students with aid per year to attend CSUSM.
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%.
Full CSUSM General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Oregon University landed the #5 spot on the list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized public school situated in Ashland, Oregon. It awarded 45 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Oregon University also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $10,187 for far western us region visual arts students with aid per year to attend Southern Oregon University.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Oregon University
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for far western us region visual arts students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 86%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at San Jose State University
San Diego Mesa College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
San Diego Mesa College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego Mesa College
With a ranking of #8, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Corvallis, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students with aid list, Oregon State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State is $21,508 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
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 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 General Visual & Performing Arts at Oregon State University
Azusa Pacific University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 48 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students with aid list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Azusa Pacific University is $30,744 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Azusa Pacific General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Academy of Art University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 63 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $36,143 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Academy of Art University General Visual & Performing Arts Report
University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $32,569 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full USC General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Seattle Pacific University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Seattle Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 3 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
SPU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SPU is $26,714 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Seattle Pacific University
Columbia College Hollywood came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tarzana, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
Columbia College Hollywood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $32,909 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia College Hollywood
Seattle University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students with aid list, Seattle U has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $35,109 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid per year to attend Seattle University.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Seattle University General Visual & Performing Arts Report
University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. University of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $40,053 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
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%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at University of San Francisco
Otis College of Art and Design came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Otis College of Art and Design not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Otis College of Art and Design is $45,026 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Otis College of Art and Design General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Pacific Northwest College of Art did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Pacific Northwest College of Art is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.
Pacific Northwest College of Art did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pacific Northwest College of Art is $34,201 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
Full Pacific Northwest College of Art General Visual & Performing Arts Report
Gnomon did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Hollywood, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
Gnomon also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $45,301 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students with aid per year to attend Gnomon.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Gnomon
With a ranking of #19, San Francisco Art Institute did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 2 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students with aid list, SFAI has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFAI is $40,793 for far western us region visual arts students with aid.
The undergraduate 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.
Full San Francisco Art Institute General Visual & Performing Arts Report
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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
- *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
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