2024 Best Colleges for Performing Arts in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Performing Arts programs in California. We looked at 15 programs to put our Performing Arts rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Performing Arts in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Performing Arts is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Performing Arts: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Performing Arts in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Performing Arts undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Performing Arts degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Performing Arts Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Performing Arts in California?

Otis College of Art and Design is the best university for majoring in Performing Arts based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Otis College of Art and Design earned an average of $39,909 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Performing Arts in California?

California State University-Channel Islands is the cheapest university for majoring in Performing Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,547 to attend California State University-Channel Islands.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Performing Arts in California?

University of Southern California (USC) is the most expensive university for majoring in Performing Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $50,277 to attend University of Southern California (USC).

Show Less

Sort By:

#1 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $39,909
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 155
Otis College of Art and Design
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Otis College of Art and Design, located in Los Angeles, CA has 155 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $39,909.
Acceptance Rate 90%
Undergraduates 244 students
Tuition $42,314
0
Slide this button to indicate your GPA
4.0
My GPA
#2 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $36,674
Average Debt $23,990
Program Size 44
University of Southern California (USC)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, CA has 44 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $36,674.
Acceptance Rate 18%
Undergraduates 14,672 students
Tuition $50,277
0
4.0
My GPA
#3 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 25
University of San Francisco
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
Video Rating
University of San Francisco, located in San Francisco, CA has 25 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate 64%
Undergraduates 3,307 students
Tuition $42,634
0
4.0
My GPA
#4 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $33,993
Average Debt $35,750
Program Size 70
Academy of Art University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
Video Rating
Academy of Art University, located in San Francisco, CA has 70 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,993.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 2,335 students
Tuition $20,340
0
4.0
My GPA
#5 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $29,685
Average Debt $21,392
Program Size 85
Azusa Pacific University (APU)
4 Year
Azusa, CA
Video Rating
Azusa Pacific University (APU), located in Azusa, CA has 85 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $29,685.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 2,792 students
Tuition $34,754
0
4.0
My GPA
#6 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $27,091
Average Debt $19,878
Program Size 128
California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning
4 Year
San Marcos, CA
Video Rating
N/A
California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning, located in San Marcos, CA has 128 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $27,091.
Acceptance Rate 54%
Undergraduates 3,507 students
Tuition $7,269
0
4.0
My GPA
#7 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $25,194
Average Debt $17,632
Program Size 24
California State University-Channel Islands
4 Year
Camarillo, CA
California State University-Channel Islands, located in Camarillo, CA has 24 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $25,194.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,718 students
Tuition $6,547
0
4.0
My GPA
#8 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $23,456
Average Debt $17,000
Program Size 191
University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego)
4 Year
La Jolla, CA
Video Rating
University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego), located in La Jolla, CA has 191 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $23,456.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 9,523 students
Tuition $13,530
0
4.0
My GPA
#9 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary $20,140
Average Debt $21,934
Program Size 29
Marymount California University
4 Year
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Marymount California University, located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA has 29 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn $20,140.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 151 students
Tuition $34,680
0
4.0
My GPA
#10 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 34
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
Video Rating
N/A
San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 34 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
0
4.0
My GPA
#11 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 13
William Jessup University
4 Year
Rocklin, CA
William Jessup University, located in Rocklin, CA has 13 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 76%
Undergraduates 279 students
Tuition $26,480
0
4.0
My GPA
#12 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 9
California Baptist University (CBU)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
Video Rating
California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, CA has 9 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,348 students
Tuition $30,384
0
4.0
My GPA
#13 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 9
Point Loma Nazarene University
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Point Loma Nazarene University, located in San Diego, CA has 9 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 1,033 students
Tuition $32,400
0
4.0
My GPA
#14 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 7
Woodbury University
4 Year
Burbank, CA
Video Rating
Woodbury University, located in Burbank, CA has 7 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 58%
Undergraduates 414 students
Tuition $36,408
0
4.0
My GPA
#15 Best College for Performing Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 4
San Francisco Art Institute
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Art Institute, located in San Francisco, CA has 4 students majoring in Performing Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 157 students
Tuition $41,272
0
4.0
My GPA
Other Major Rankings
Best Performing Arts Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings