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2024 Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in California

10 Colleges in California
6,481 Associate Degrees
$23,096 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your associate degree in visual & performing arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #9 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,481 associate degrees in visual & performing arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Visual & Performing Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in California Your choice of visual & performing arts for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality visual & performing arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for visual & performing arts students working on their associate degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Visual & Performing Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Visual & Performing Arts in California

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for visual & performing arts students seeking a an associate degree.

10 Top California Schools for an Associate in Visual & Performing Arts

1
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
280 Annual Graduates

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is a wonderful option for students pursuing an associate degree in visual & performing arts. FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
150 Annual Graduates

American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in visual & performing arts. American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles

3
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
52 Annual Graduates

Academy of Art University is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy of Art University is a private for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Academy of Art University

4
4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
15 Annual Graduates

Any student who is interested in an associate degree in visual & performing arts needs to look into Columbia College Hollywood. Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Tarzana.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Columbia College Hollywood

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
25 Annual Graduates

Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Los Angeles Trade Technical College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
74 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from San Diego Mesa College

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
741 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Hollywood, LA Film School is a private for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Los Angeles Film School

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
38 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Newport Beach, Interior Designers Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from Interior Designers Institute

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
24 Annual Graduates

New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Burbank.More information about a associate in visual & performing arts from New York Film Academy

Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Oregon 35 225
Nevada 35 120
Washington 33 231
Hawaii 24 25

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Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 2,087
Music 1,149
Design & Applied Arts 1,133
Drama & Theater Arts 868
General Visual & Performing Arts 642
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 476
Dance 110
Arts & Media Management 13
Other Visual Art 3

Notes and References

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