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# Best Visual and Performing Arts Programs in California

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Top Art & Design Colleges in California by Earnings](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-california/)

This page ranks the 7 Visual and Performing Arts programs in California by the median earnings of Visual and Performing Arts graduates four years after completing. [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/) leads the list at $48,043, followed by Otis College of Art and Design at $47,220.

The median across the listed schools is $36,674, with figures ranging from $48,043 to $22,455.

The list includes 3 public and 4 private nonprofit institutions. [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

California State University-Channel Islands posts the lowest average net price on the page at $9,849.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $48,043 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
|  | [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/) reports [median earnings of $48,043](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/outcomes/) for its Visual and Performing Arts graduates four years after completing, with 76 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 2 | Otis College of Art and Design · Los Angeles, CA | $47,220 | $51,248 | $44,731 | 81.8% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, Otis College of Art and Design admits 82% of applicants and its Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn a median of $47,220 four years after completing. |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $45,915 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
|  | [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) [ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn a median of $45,915 four years after completing. |
| 4 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $36,674 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 10%](/school/university-of-southern-california/admissions/), [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) posts an average net price of $32,740 and median earnings of $36,674 for its Visual and Performing Arts graduates four years after completing. |
| 5 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $27,823 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
|  | [University of San Francisco](/school/university-of-san-francisco/majors/) reports an [average net price of $31,537](/school/university-of-san-francisco/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn a median of $27,823 four years after completing. |
| 6 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $25,194 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
|  | [California State University-Channel Islands](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $9,849, and its Visual and Performing Arts graduates earn a [median of $25,194](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 7 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $22,455 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
|  | [Azusa Pacific University](/school/azusa-pacific-university/majors/) ranks 7th on this list, with [median earnings of $22,455](/school/azusa-pacific-university/outcomes/) for its Visual and Performing Arts graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 88%. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Visual and Performing Arts graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in California appear. The figures cover federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 4 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from California State University-San Marcos to the lowest-ranked program is $25,588.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Top Art & Design Colleges in California by Earnings](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-california/)
-   Art & Design Colleges in California for Social Mobility