2023 Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California
Finding the Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree School for You
With 3,773 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, design and applied arts is the #34 most popular major in California.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 81 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Design & Applied Arts program at each school on the list.
Featured Design Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
2023 Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California
The colleges and universities below are the most popular for design majors pursuing a associate degree.
Top 15% Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools
Our analysis found FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles to be the most popular school for design and applied arts students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Women make up 79% of the design majors at the school.
The average amount in student loans that design majors at FIDM Los Angeles take out while working on their Associate Degree is $16,621. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $491.
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The in-demand associate degree programs at Santa Monica College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular design and applied arts schools in California. SMC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Monica.
Of the 61 students majoring in design at SMC, 25% are male and 75% are female.
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Out of the 81 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Sierra College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Women make up 71% of the design majors at the school.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Interior Designers Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the city of Newport Beach, Interior Designers Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Of the 38 students majoring in design at Interior Designers Institute, 8% are male and 92% are female.
While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at Interior Designers Institute accumulate an average of around $22,905 in student debt.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Interior Designers Institute Report
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The in-demand associate degree programs at Platt College - San Diego helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular design and applied arts schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, Platt College - San Diego is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Women make up 42% of the design majors at the school.
Design majors at Platt College - San Diego take out an average of $18,038 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $112.
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West Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for design and applied arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
About 93% of the students majoring in design at the school are women while 7% are male.
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Palomar College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Of the 27 students majoring in design at Palomar College, 22% are male and 78% are female.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Palomar College Report
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With a ranking of #7, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public school with a large student population.
Of the 27 students majoring in design at San Diego Mesa College, 15% are male and 85% are female.
Full Design & Applied Arts at San Diego Mesa College Report
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With a ranking of #9, Los Angeles Trade Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Of the 25 students majoring in design at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 24% are male and 76% are female.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Los Angeles Trade Technical College
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Foothill College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
About 74% of the students majoring in design at the school are women while 26% are male.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Foothill College
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American River College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for design and applied arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, American River is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Women make up 95% of the design majors at the school.
Full Design & Applied Arts at American River College Report
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Mt. San Antonio College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a very large student population.
Of the 21 students majoring in design at Mt. SAC, 43% are male and 57% are female.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Mt. San Antonio College Report
Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| 14 | San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA |
| 14 | Mt. San Jacinto College | San Jacinto, CA |
| 14 | San Diego City College | San Diego, CA |
Best Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Most Popular Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 532 |
| Oregon | 490 |
| Nevada | 110 |
| Hawaii | 19 |
Other Related Design Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Design & Applied Arts Related Majors
Design & Applied Arts is one of 10 different types of programs to choose from.
Most Popular Majors Related to Design
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 37,413 |
| Music | 25,910 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 17,341 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 16,778 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 6,355 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 28 schools only.
- 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 the rest 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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