Best colleges for Arts in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Southern California, Los Angeles Film School and University of California-Los Angeles award the most Arts degrees and certificates in California: 113, 109 and 27 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 California colleges offer Arts and award 312 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program focuses on the visual and performing arts, preparing students for various roles within the creative industries. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about arts management,…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,975 | 113 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,250 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,706 | 109 | 41% | $32,792 | $44,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Arts degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 113 | $26,975 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood Private for-profit | 109 | $18,706 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 4 | Pepperdine University Malibu Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 5 | Musicians Institute Hollywood Private for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of the Pacific Stockton Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena Private for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | National University San Diego Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 California colleges offering Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Graduate University (Graduate only) | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| The Master's University and Seminary | Santa Clarita | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes (SOC 13-1011).
Top skills
What Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Arts programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Arts degrees?+
University of Southern California (113 graduates a year), Los Angeles Film School (109 graduates a year) and University of California-Los Angeles (27 graduates a year) award the most Arts degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 California colleges offer Arts.
Which Arts program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Southern California tops the list at $26,975. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in California is $159,240 (median $98,110), across about 4,860 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Arts program?+
The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program focuses on the visual and performing arts, preparing students for various roles within the creative industries. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about arts management,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes?+
The national job outlook is about +8.7% growth with around 2,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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