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2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region

19 Ranked Colleges
1,301 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 6,355 people earned their degree in general visual and performing arts, making the major the 116th most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in general visual and performing arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general visual and performing arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

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The visual arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region visual arts students.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for General Visual & Performing Arts in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Channel Islands. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 20 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Channel Islands is $14,928 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at CSUCI

2

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region 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 59 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students list, CSUSM has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,218 for far western us region visual arts students per year to attend CSUSM.

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%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at CSUSM

3
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for far western us region visual arts students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full San Jose State University General Visual & Performing Arts Report

4
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Academy of Art University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Academy of Art University is a private for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $36,143 for far western us region visual arts students per year to attend Academy of Art University.

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%.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

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. It costs about $3,302 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Cal State LA

6

Southern Oregon University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Ashland, Oregon is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual arts degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Oregon University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Oregon University is $10,187 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Oregon University

7
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

With a ranking of #7, Columbia College Hollywood did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Columbia College Hollywood is located in Tarzana, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

Columbia College Hollywood also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Hollywood is $32,909 for far western us region visual arts students.

Full Columbia College Hollywood General Visual & Performing Arts Report

8
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #8. Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

Azusa Pacific also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific University is $30,744 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Azusa Pacific University

9
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #9, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students list, San Diego Mesa College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego Mesa College

10
Gnomon crest
Gnomon
Hollywood, California

Gnomon did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gnomon is $45,301 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

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 full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Gnomon

11

University of California - San Diego landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 99 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for far western us region visual arts students.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at UCSD

12
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Oregon State University is a large public school situated in Corvallis, Oregon. It awarded 3 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Oregon State also made our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State University is $21,508 for far western us region visual arts students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at Oregon State University

13
SPU crest
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, Washington

Seattle Pacific University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Seattle Pacific University is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s visual arts degrees to qualified students.

SPU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $26,714 for far western us region visual arts students per year to attend SPU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Read full report on General Visual & Performing Arts at Seattle Pacific University

14
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington

With a ranking of #14, Seattle University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Seattle University is a medium-sized school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 10 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students 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 per year to attend Seattle University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 Seattle U

15

Pacific Northwest College of Art came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 9 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $34,201 for far western us region visual arts students per year to attend Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Full Pacific Northwest College of Art General Visual & Performing Arts Report

16
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Art Institute ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Francisco Art Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFAI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SFAI is $40,793 for far western us region visual arts students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at SFAI

17
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region 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. It costs about $45,026 for far western us region visual arts students per year to attend Otis College of Art and Design.

The undergraduate 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Otis College of Art and Design

18
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s visual arts students in 2020-2021.

USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $40,053 for far western us region visual arts students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Full University of San Francisco General Visual & Performing Arts Report

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Visual Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 49 ’s visual arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region visual arts students list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USC is $32,569 for Far Western US Region Visual Arts students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, 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. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Visual & Performing Arts at University of Southern California

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