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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California

227 Ranked Colleges
24,145 Degrees Awarded
$46,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 149,215 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,700 and had an average of $25,051 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 24,145 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,013 and $24,403 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking analyzed 227 colleges that offered a degree in visual and performing arts. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in visual and performing arts.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in California

1
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco Art Institute. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. SFAI is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at San Francisco Art Institute

1
TOA crest
Theatre of Arts
Hollywood, California

Out of the 227 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Theatre of Arts landed the #1 spot on the list. Theatre of Arts is a small private for-profit school situated in Hollywood, California. It awarded 1 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Theatre of Arts

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Dell’Arte International is a private not-for-profit institution located in Blue Lake, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Dell’Arte International

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hussian College-Relativity Campus California. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California. Hussian College-Relativity Campus California is a small private for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 51 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Hussian College-Relativity Campus California

1
American Conservatory Theater crest
American Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Conservatory Theater. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California. American Conservatory Theater is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 12 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at American Conservatory Theater

1
California Jazz Conservatory crest
California Jazz Conservatory
Berkeley, California

Out of the 227 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Jazz Conservatory landed the #1 spot on the list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, 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 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California Jazz Conservatory

1
Design Institute of San Diego crest
Design Institute of San Diego
San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Design Institute of San Diego. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California. Located in San Diego, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

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. 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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at Design Institute of San Diego

8
LACM crest
Los Angeles College of Music
Pasadena, California

Los Angeles College of Music landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Los Angeles College of Music is a private for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 Visual & Performing Arts at Los Angeles College of Music

9
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

With a ranking of #9, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. LA Film School is located in Hollywood, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,222 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Los Angeles Film School

10
Platt College - San Diego crest
Platt College - San Diego
San Diego, California

Platt College - San Diego ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Platt College - San Diego is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 81 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Platt College - San Diego

11

American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 159 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles Visual & Performing Arts Report

12
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #12, Otis College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 213 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, 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 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Otis College of Art and Design

13
Interior Designers Institute crest
Interior Designers Institute
Newport Beach, California

With a ranking of #13, Interior Designers Institute did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Interior Designers Institute is a small school located in Newport Beach, California that handed out 51 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Interior Designers Institute

14
American Film Institute crest
American Film Institute Conservatory
Los Angeles, California

American Film Institute Conservatory ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. American Film Institute is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 82 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at American Film Institute

15

Young Americans College of the Performing Arts landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Young Americans College of the Performing Arts is a small school located in Corona, California that handed out 31 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Young Americans College of the Performing Arts

16
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

Laguna College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Laguna Beach, California, and it awarded 135 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full LCAD Visual & Performing Arts Report

17
SFCM crest
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Conservatory of Music ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at SFCM

18
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. California Institute of the Arts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 266 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at CalArts

19
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

With a ranking of #19, Columbia College Hollywood did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Columbia College Hollywood is a small school located in Tarzana, California that handed out 166 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia College Hollywood

20
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

New York Film Academy landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Burbank, California, and it awarded 595 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full New York Film Academy Visual & Performing Arts Report

21
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #21. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 374 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Art Center College of Design

22
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 210 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Visual & Performing Arts at California College of the Arts

23
24
Gnomon crest
Gnomon
Hollywood, California

Gnomon landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Gnomon is a private for-profit institution located in Hollywood, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gnomon Visual & Performing Arts Report

25
Musicians Institute crest
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, California

Musicians Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Hollywood, California, and it awarded 155 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Musicians Institute Visual & Performing Arts Report

Rest of the Best 35 in Schools Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California

Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
28
Cogswell crest
Cogswell College
San Jose, California
29
Woodbury crest
Woodbury University
Burbank, California
30
SAE Expression College crest
SAE Expression College
Emeryville, California
31
32
Mills crest
Mills College
Oakland, California
33
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California
34
Bethesda crest
Bethesda University
Anaheim, California
35
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

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