State + Major Rankings
Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in California
Top Design and Applied Arts programs in California ranked by national standing and graduate earnings -- updated 2026.
Programs listed: 21
Avg major earnings: $55,783
Top Design and Applied Arts Programs in California
Nationally ranked schools appear first. Earnings reflect graduates of this specific major.
| # | School | 4yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UCLA #6 national | $68,882 |
| 2 | USC #26 national | $56,391 |
| 3 | UC Davis #40 national | $55,388 |
| 4 | San Diego State University #123 national | $48,911 |
| 5 | California State University-Long Beach #125 national | $58,879 |
| 6 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #151 national | $40,019 |
| 7 | Chapman University #236 national | $69,235 |
| 8 | Art Center College of Design #283 national | $71,547 |
| 9 | University of San Francisco #297 national | $51,544 |
| 10 | California State University-Chico #378 national | $37,032 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Excludes for-profit institutions.
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