Visual & Performing Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 217 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.
Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Stanford University
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 495 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 407 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,091 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,773 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
A rank of #4 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 509 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $26,417. Typical student debt for the program is $24,846.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Chapman University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $36,006 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,198 to complete this degree.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of San Diego earned the #6 position for visual & performing arts this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. About 28 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of San Diego
Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Pepperdine University awarded about 60 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Pepperdine University
University Of California Davis landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 431 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of California Davis earn around $30,647 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,804 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of California Davis
University Of Southern California ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,138 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $29,825 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,142.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #10 for visual & performing arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 567 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,266. Typical student debt for the program is $19,284.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 405 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $26,737 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,460 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Loyola Marymount University
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #12 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $54,116 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of The Pacific landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of The Pacific awarded about 32 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Typical student debt for the program is $26,017.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of The Pacific
Sonoma State University earned the #14 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 63 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $29,035. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,552 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Sonoma State University
California State University Fullerton placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 688 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $35,269 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,772.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for California State University Fullerton
California State University East Bay landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 171 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from California State University East Bay earn around $33,220 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for California State University East Bay
San Francisco State University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 572 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from San Francisco State University earn around $28,884 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $16,585 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from San Francisco State University
Concordia University Irvine earned the #18 position for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 30 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. Typical student debt for the program is $26,085.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Concordia University Irvine
National University came in at #19 for visual & performing arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. National University awarded about 14 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of National University earn a median of $69,080 early in their careers. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for National University
University Of California Berkeley placed #20 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 312 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $18,487 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,510.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California San Diego came in at #21 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 276 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $19,754 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,924 to complete this degree.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for University Of California San Diego
Scripps College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 17 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Scripps College
University Of California Irvine landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 411 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $21,248 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,685 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of California Irvine
California State University Sacramento came in at #24 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 325 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $24,927. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $16,186 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from California State University Sacramento
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 24 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
Rest of the Top 50 Visual & Performing Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 217 schools evaluated.
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).
