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Fine and Studio Arts bachelor's degree programs in California

Compare 34 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

34Programs reporting earnings
$42,868Median year-4 earnings
$16,978Median federal debt
32Programs reporting debt
OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · $21,125 federal debt$72,4282California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo · $19,198 federal debt$59,7213Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles · $23,600 federal debt$58,4684University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · $13,254 federal debt$51,6995University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla · $15,218 federal debt$48,5066Biola UniversityLa Mirada · $27,000 federal debt$47,5967University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara · $16,978 federal debt$46,4288University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · $14,000 federal debt$46,1739California State University, East BayHayward · $16,625 federal debt$46,13610Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park · $18,460 federal debt$46,022
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1121Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
State median wage
$99,410
Middle 50% wage range
$74,960–$143,070
State employment
9,820
Projected growth
+2.2%
Annual openings
8,000
10th–90th percentile: $60,420–$202,740
27-1012Craft Artists
State median wage
$100,540
Middle 50% wage range
$62,500–$130,360
State employment
170
Projected growth
+2.0%
Annual openings
1,000
10th–90th percentile: $55,290–$204,390
27-1013Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
State median wage
$58,240
Middle 50% wage range
$37,560–$154,540
State employment
2,560
Projected growth
-2.9%
Annual openings
2,200
10th–90th percentile: $36,300–$207,320
27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators
State median wage
$130,540
Middle 50% wage range
$99,280–$164,800
State employment
7,410
Projected growth
-0.3%
Annual openings
4,200
10th–90th percentile: $71,710–$206,160
51-9071Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
State median wage
$60,790
Middle 50% wage range
$47,540–$76,060
State employment
2,300
Projected growth
-3.2%
Annual openings
3,700
10th–90th percentile: $38,180–$81,660
27-1019Artists and Related Workers, All Other
State median wage
$60,540
Middle 50% wage range
$36,580–$85,060
State employment
740
Projected growth
+2.0%
Annual openings
1,100
10th–90th percentile: $36,580–$109,390
27-1011Art Directors
State median wage
$137,780
Middle 50% wage range
$106,470–$192,380
State employment
12,430
Projected growth
+4.2%
Annual openings
12,200
10th–90th percentile: $81,500–$249,210
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
State median wage
$101,370
Middle 50% wage range
$79,710–$125,920
State employment
99,230
Projected growth
-0.2%
Annual openings
63,500
10th–90th percentile: $64,600–$132,600

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#CollegeCityMedian year-4 earningsMedian federal debt
1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$72,428$21,125
2California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo$59,721$19,198
3Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles$58,468$23,600
4University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley$51,699$13,254
5University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla$48,506$15,218
6Biola UniversityLa Mirada$47,596$27,000
7University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara$46,428$16,978
8University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles$46,173$14,000
9California State University, East BayHayward$46,136$16,625
10Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park$46,022$18,460
11California State University, Channel IslandsCamarillo$45,548$15,000
12California State University, ChicoChico$45,468$14,990
13California State University, FullertonFullerton$44,365$16,448
14California College of the ArtsSan Francisco$44,012$29,250
15California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield$43,534Not available
16California State University, Long BeachLong Beach$43,349$16,583
17California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge$42,904$15,000
18San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco$42,868$18,511
19California State University, SacramentoSacramento$41,969$15,879
20California State University, StanislausTurlock$41,072$15,750
21California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles$40,783$19,087
22University of California, RiversideRiverside$40,774$17,500
23University of California, DavisDavis$40,453$15,061
24University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz$40,156$19,500
25California State University, FresnoFresno$39,878$14,937
26University of California, IrvineIrvine$39,010$17,635
27Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles$38,997$30,875
28San Diego State UniversitySan Diego$35,416$9,899
29California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata$34,812$17,500
30California State University, Monterey BaySeaside$34,006$15,063
31Art Center College of DesignPasadena$33,073Not available
32California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino$30,319$18,750
33California Institute of the ArtsValencia$28,617$27,000
34Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach$27,815$27,625

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Fine and Studio Arts in California

What do Fine and Studio Arts bachelor's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 34 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $42,868 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $16,978 among the 32 programs reporting federal debt.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Southern California has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.