California · Fine and Studio Arts

Best Fine and Studio Arts institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…

Institutions
179
offering CIP 50.07
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
7,088
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$27,210
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
30
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,940
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$152,160
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Southern California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$50,1617192%$26,873$21,125
2Gemological Institute of America - Carlsbad
Carlsbad Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$36,63916091%$30,331$8,233
3California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,0066186%$19,198
4California State University - East Bay
Hayward Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,22013348%$16,625
5Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,0352758%$18,460
6Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,2105379%$36,488$23,600
7Biola University
La Mirada Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$25,372868%$26,727$27,000
8California State University - Northridge
Northridge Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,35932857%$15,000
9San Francisco State University
San Francisco Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,6069250%$18,511
10California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,53817453%$19,087

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-1.2%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~2,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$60,560
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive LearningActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWriting

What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in California

Jobs in California
1,760
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$152,160
median $140,080
Best-paying metro
$165,010
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Related careers

Art Directors
$150,260 avg · 12,540 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$126,870 avg · 10,100 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$128,880 avg · 7,690 jobs
Photographers
$76,230 avg · 7,300 jobs
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
$60,700 avg · 2,700 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in California.

Which Fine and Studio Arts program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Southern California tops the list at $50,161. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in California is $152,160 (median $140,080), across about 1,760 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Fine and Studio Arts program?+

The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?+

The national job outlook is about -1.2% 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).

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