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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in California

41 Colleges in the United States
6,807 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$46,726 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine & Studio Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 184 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine & studio arts education in California.

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Stanford University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 116 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $16,978 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 61 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $36,006 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,198. See the full fine & studio arts program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

University Of San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 14 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of San Diego

5

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 71 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Southern California earn around $50,161 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Southern California

6

San Jose State University earned the #6 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 211 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full fine & studio arts details for San Jose State University

7

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $21,220 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of California Los Angeles

8

Chapman University earned the #8 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 11 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Chapman University

9

University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 76 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,741 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,061. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of California Davis

10

Loyola Marymount University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 53 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $27,210. Students borrow a median of $23,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Loyola Marymount University

11

Pepperdine University landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pepperdine University awarded about 12 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Pepperdine University

12

California State University Fullerton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 442 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $41,350 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at California State University Fullerton

13

University Of California Berkeley landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 118 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $20,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,254 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of California Berkeley

14

California State University East Bay came in at #14 for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 133 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from California State University East Bay earn around $33,220 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for California State University East Bay

15

University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for fine & studio 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 58 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $21,777. Typical student debt for the program is $15,218. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of California San Diego

16

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #16 for fine & studio arts this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 38 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $52,683 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at California State University Dominguez Hills

17
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Scripps College

18

California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 328 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from California State University Northridge earn around $25,359 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for California State University Northridge

19
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $29,035 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,460 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Sonoma State University

20

California State University Long Beach placed #20 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 434 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $21,493 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,583. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at California State University Long Beach

21

University Of California Irvine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $20,128 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,635 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of California Irvine

22

California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 73 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. Typical student debt for the program is $15,879. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at California State University Sacramento

23

University Of California Riverside came in at #23 for fine & studio arts this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 62 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $21,792. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of California Riverside

24

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 138 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $21,106 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

25

California State University Chico earned the #25 position for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $22,628. Students borrow a median of $14,990 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at California State University Chico

Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for fine & studio arts this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
36
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
37
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
38
39
40
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
41
Mills College crest
Mills College
Oakland, CA
42
43
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
44
45
46
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
47
48
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
49
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
50
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for fine & studio arts:

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View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 184 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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