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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in California

55 Ranked Colleges
2,317 Degrees Awarded
$32,639 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking.

Visual & Performing Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 149,215 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,317 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,974 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking analyzed 55 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.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California

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

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in California

1

Out of the 55 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre landed the #1 spot on the list. Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Blue Lake, California. It awarded 5 masters’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.

Full Dell’Arte International Visual & Performing Arts Report

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 for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California. American Conservatory Theater is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at American Conservatory Theater

3
American Film Institute crest
American Film Institute Conservatory
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Film Institute Conservatory. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California. American Film Institute is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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 more about Visual & Performing Arts at American Film Institute Conservatory

4
SFCM crest
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco Conservatory of Music. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. SFCM is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

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

5
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

Out of the 55 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of the Arts landed the #5 spot on the list. California Institute of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 120 masters’s visual and performing arts 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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California Institute of the Arts Visual & Performing Arts Report

6
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

New York Film Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. This small school is located in Burbank, California, and it awarded 200 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 New York Film Academy Visual & Performing Arts Report

7
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Art Institute came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. 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 14 masters’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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at SFAI

8
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #8. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 270 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Visual & Performing Arts at Academy of Art University

9
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 60 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

10
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

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 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%.

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

11
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

Laguna College of Art and Design came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Laguna College of Art and Design is a small school located in Laguna Beach, California that handed out 17 masters’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%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at LCAD

12
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 58 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

13
Mills crest
Mills College
Oakland, California

Mills College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Mills is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland, California. It awarded 25 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Mills College

14
Claremont Graduate University crest
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California

Claremont Graduate University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 29 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Claremont Graduate University

15
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 97 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Chapman

16
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 67 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Azusa Pacific

17
Bethesda crest
Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

With a ranking of #17, Bethesda University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. Bethesda is a small school located in Anaheim, California that handed out 2 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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.

Full Bethesda University Visual & Performing Arts Report

18
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 317 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

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

19
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 47 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Loyola Marymount

20

California Institute of Integral Studies landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CIIS Visual & Performing Arts Report

21

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 173 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Visual & Performing Arts Report

22
MSMU crest
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking, coming in at #22. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at MSMU

23

California State University - Northridge landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 87 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at CSUN

24

With a ranking of #24, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California list. SMC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moraga, California. It awarded 9 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees 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 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%.

Full Saint Mary’s College of California Visual & Performing Arts Report

25

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Visual & Performing Arts Major in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 44 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Cal State LA

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