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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California

9 Colleges in the United States
$16,274 Avg Student Debt
$54,434 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Badge [General Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 115 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general visual & performing arts schools.

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2026 Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Visual & Performing Arts Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general visual & performing arts in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Golden West College earned it the #3 place for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

4
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

A rank of #4 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

7
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College placed #7 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.

8
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College came in at #8 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $7,995. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.

9

Riverside City College placed #9 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.

10
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College earned the #10 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,733. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College came in at #11 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

12
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College placed #12 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College earned the #13 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.

15

California State University San Marcos came in at #15 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $18,750. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $27,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of California San Diego came in at #16 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

17
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA

Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #17 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $12,477. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,521 ten years after entry. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of California Merced earned the #18 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

Azusa Pacific University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $23,500. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.

20

University Of Southern California placed #20 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for general visual & performing arts graduates is $15,625. Early-career general visual & performing arts graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Saint Marys College Of California placed #21 among the best values for general visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,803. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University came in at #22 for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general visual & performing arts program here. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $28,494 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Gnomon School Of Visual Effects earned the #23 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Gnomon School Of Visual Effects is a small private for-profit school located in the city of North Hollywood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,635. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $33,166 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Gnomon School Of Visual Effects earn a median of $77,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,166 median debt. Gnomon School Of Visual Effects admits about 42% of applicants.

24

Otis College Of Art And Design earned the #24 position for value in general visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,488. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Otis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $21,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otis College Of Art And Design admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 115 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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