Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
Academy of Art University, California State University - San Marcos and Otis College of Art and Design are the top bachelor's Visual and Performing Arts programs in California by graduate earnings. Academy of Art University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,494, College Scorecard. Otis College of Art and Design, California State University - San Marcos and Victor Valley College award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in California: 123, 85 and 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 107 California colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 1,343 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | Academy of Art University San Francisco Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,494 | 60 | 34% | $40,294 | $31,000 |
| 2 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,741 | 85 | 55% | — | $18,750 |
| 3 | Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,558 | 123 | 66% | $44,867 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 123 | $21,558 |
| 2 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos Public | 85 | $27,741 |
| 3 | Victor Valley College Victorville Public | 80 | Not reported |
| 4 | Fullerton College Fullerton Public | 74 | Not reported |
| 5 | Gnomon North Hollywood Private for-profit | 73 | Not reported |
| 6 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica Public | 65 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 62 | Not reported |
| 8 | Academy of Art University San Francisco Private for-profit | 60 | $28,494 |
| 9 | Citrus College Glendora Public | 41 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 38 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 97 California colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Visual and Performing Arts programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees?+
Otis College of Art and Design (123 graduates a year), California State University - San Marcos (85 graduates a year) and Victor Valley College (80 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 107 California colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.
What is the best college for Visual and Performing Arts in California?+
By graduate earnings, Academy of Art University leads among bachelor's Visual and Performing Arts programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,494, College Scorecard. California State University - San Marcos and Otis College of Art and Design follow. By degrees awarded, Otis College of Art and Design is the largest, with 123 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Visual and Performing Arts program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Academy of Art University tops the list at $28,494. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in California is $86,800 (median $75,130), across about 27,390 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Visual and Performing Arts program?+
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Graphic Designers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 20,000 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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