2023 Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California
Finding the Best Visual & Performing Arts School for You
Visual & Performing Arts is one of the most popular subjects to study in California. With 22,397 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 10th out of all the majors we track in the state.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 229 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Visual & Performing Arts program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California
The colleges and universities below are the most popular for visual and performing arts majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Most Popular California Schools in Visual & Performing Arts
Our 2023 rankings named Los Angeles Film School the most popular school in California for visual and performing arts students. LA Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the large city of Hollywood.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at LA Film School take out is $33,837. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $293.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Los Angeles Film School Report
The excellent programs at California State University - Long Beach helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best visual and performing arts schools in California. Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public college with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from CSULB carry an average student debt load of $18,481.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Long Beach Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at USC take out is $20,385. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $562, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means California State University - Fullerton is a great place for visual and performing arts students. Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Cal State Fullerton take out is $20,671.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. SFSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Francisco.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at SFSU accumulate an average of around $17,462 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $312, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at San Francisco State University Report
New York Film Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Visual & Performing Arts majors at New York Film Academy take out an average of $18,132 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $658, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at New York Film Academy Report
Academy of Art University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular visual and performing arts programs. Academy of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at Academy of Art University accumulate an average of around $34,933 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $918.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Academy of Art University
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public school with a fairly large student population.
On average, visual and performing arts graduates from UCLA take out $17,919 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $431.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Los Angeles
California State University - Northridge did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #9 on the list. CSUN is a very large public school located in the large city of Northridge.
On average, visual and performing arts graduates from CSUN take out $16,816 in student loans while working on their degree.
University of California - Irvine did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Visual & Performing Arts majors at UC Irvine take out an average of $17,754 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $250.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #11 on the list. UC Santa Cruz is a large public school located in the small city of Santa Cruz.
Visual & Performing Arts majors at UC Santa Cruz take out an average of $22,703 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $328.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz Report
With a ranking of #12, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public college with a very large student population.
University of California - Davis ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at UC Davis accumulate an average of around $15,158 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $319.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Davis Report
University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from UCSB carry an average student debt load of $17,632. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $259.
With a ranking of #15, Chapman University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. Chapman is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Chapman carry an average student debt load of $22,560. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $487.
Art Center College of Design landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular visual and performing arts programs. Art Center College of Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Art Center College of Design carry an average student debt load of $32,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $783, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Art Center College of Design Report
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. SDSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Diego.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at SDSU accumulate an average of around $14,375 in student debt.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at San Diego State University Report
With a ranking of #18, Santa Monica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. SMC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Monica.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Santa Monica College
With a ranking of #19, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from FIDM Los Angeles carry an average student debt load of $22,573. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $635.
University of California - Riverside ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at UCR take out is $18,542. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $115.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Riverside Report
Loyola Marymount University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. Loyola Marymount is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Visual & Performing Arts majors at Loyola Marymount take out an average of $22,932 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $983, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Loyola Marymount University Report
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public college with a fairly large student population.
On average, visual and performing arts graduates from UC Berkeley take out $16,924 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Berkeley Report
With a ranking of #23, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for visual and performing arts students. Cal State LA is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Cal State LA take out is $14,595.
California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular visual and performing arts programs. Located in the city of Chico, Chico State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Chico State take out is $19,232.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Chico
California State University - Sacramento ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California list. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Sacramento.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Sac State take out is $16,737.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Sacramento Report
Rest of the Top Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California
Additional 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 Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA |
| 36 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA |
| 36 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA |
| 38 | Columbia College Hollywood | Tarzana, CA |
| 39 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
| 39 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 41 | American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 42 | Musicians Institute | Hollywood, CA |
| 43 | California State University - East Bay | Hayward, CA |
| 44 | Moorpark College | Moorpark, CA |
| 45 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Most Popular Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 1,718 |
| Oregon | 1,672 |
| Hawaii | 196 |
| Nevada | 554 |
| Alaska | 60 |
Majors Related to Visual & Performing Arts
Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 37,413 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 36,301 |
| Music | 25,910 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 17,341 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 16,778 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 6,355 |
| Arts & Media Management | 4,788 |
| Dance | 3,288 |
| Other Visual Art | 912 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | 119 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 10 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 556,813 |
| English Language & Literature | 54,635 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 33,333 |
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 27,459 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 19,993 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Bonnielou2013.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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