Fine and Studio Arts master's degree programs in California
Compare 8 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$65,7592Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa · Debt not reported$64,5523California College of the ArtsSan Francisco · Debt not reported$57,7174Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco · Debt not reported$46,7305University of California, DavisDavis · Debt not reported$44,7356California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · Debt not reported$38,4527Art Center College of DesignPasadena · Debt not reported$30,1888California Institute of the ArtsValencia · Debt not reported$24,720
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton | $65,759 | Not available |
| 2 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | $64,552 | Not available |
| 3 | California College of the Arts | San Francisco | $57,717 | Not available |
| 4 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco | $46,730 | Not available |
| 5 | University of California, Davis | Davis | $44,735 | Not available |
| 6 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach | $38,452 | Not available |
| 7 | Art Center College of Design | Pasadena | $30,188 | Not available |
| 8 | California Institute of the Arts | Valencia | $24,720 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Fine and Studio Arts in California
What do Fine and Studio Arts master's degree graduates earn in California?
Across 8 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $44,735 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. California State University, Fullerton has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.