Best Performing Arts Programs in California
Compare 139 performing arts programs in California. View tuition, acceptance, class size, audition, prescreen, and program fit signals in one place.
Ranked Performing Arts programs
Ranked by program fit, selectiveness, class size, value, outcomes, and data quality
1
University of California - San Diego
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KGPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
2
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KAvg GPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KGPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
3
University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KGPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
4
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KAvg GPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KGPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
5
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 32%Tuition: $59KSelectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 32%Tuition: $59KSelectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Small
6
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
7
Chapman University
Orange, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KGPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
8
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KAvg GPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KGPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Medium
9
California State University - Chico
Chico, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.39 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.39 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
10
PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre
Santa Maria, CA·Public
Tuition: $10KSelectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Tuition: $10KSelectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Medium
11
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 88%Tuition: $44KAvg GPA: 3.85 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
BFA in Acting for the Stage and Screen
Acceptance: 88%Tuition: $44KGPA: 3.85 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
12
Cañada College
Redwood City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
13
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 63%Tuition: $70KAvg GPA: 3.61 (W)Selectiveness: Highly Selective
Acceptance: 63%Tuition: $70KGPA: 3.61 (W)Selectiveness: Highly Selective
14
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.93 (W)
Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.93 (W)
15
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.84 (W)
Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.84 (W)
16
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.67 (W)
Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.67 (W)
17
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
18
University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
19
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.53 (W)
Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.53 (W)
20
Pomona College
Claremont, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 4.11 (W)
Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KGPA: 4.11 (W)
21
University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
22
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 31%Tuition: $35KAvg GPA: 4.12 (W)
Acceptance: 31%Tuition: $35KGPA: 4.12 (W)
23
California State University - Stanislaus
Turlock, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.46 (W)
Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.46 (W)
24
California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.18 (W)
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.18 (W)
25
California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.33 (W)
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.33 (W)
26
California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.41 (W)
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.41 (W)
27
Stanford University
Stanford, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.94 (W)
BA Theater and Performance Studies
Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.94 (W)
28
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
29
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.15 (W)
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.15 (W)
30
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
31
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
32
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
33
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $42KAvg GPA: 3.4 (W)Selectiveness: Moderately Selective
BA Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $42KGPA: 3.4 (W)Selectiveness: Moderately Selective
34
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
35
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
36
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
37
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.69 (W)
Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.69 (W)
38
Citrus College
Glendora, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
39
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
40
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
41
Chabot College
Hayward, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
42
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA·Public
Tuition: $1K
Tuition: $1K
43
Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
44
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
45
El Camino College
Torrance, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
46
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
47
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
48
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
49
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
50
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
51
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
52
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Tuition: $15K
53
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
54
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
55
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
56
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
57
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
58
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
59
Ohlone College
Fremont, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
60
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
61
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
62
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KAvg GPA: 3.28 (W)
Tuition: $11KGPA: 3.28 (W)
63
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
64
Butte College
Oroville, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
65
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
66
American River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
67
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
68
Ventura College
Ventura, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
69
Cypress College
Cypress, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
70
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
71
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
72
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
73
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
74
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
75
Mendocino College
Ukiah, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
76
College of Marin
Kentfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
77
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
78
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
79
Merced College
Merced, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
80
Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
81
California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.36 (W)
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.36 (W)
82
Napa Valley College
Napa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
83
California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.25 (W)
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.25 (W)
84
University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 3.92 (W)
Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $50KGPA: 3.92 (W)
85
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
86
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
87
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $60KAvg GPA: 3.62 (W)
BA Performing Arts and Social Justice
Acceptance: 62%Tuition: $60KGPA: 3.62 (W)
88
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 25%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 3.88 (W)
Acceptance: 25%Tuition: $65KGPA: 3.88 (W)
89
Antelope Valley Community College District
Lancaster, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
90
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 77%Tuition: $54KAvg GPA: 3.64 (W)
Acceptance: 77%Tuition: $54KGPA: 3.64 (W)
91
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
92
Glendale Community College
Glendale, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
93
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KAvg GPA: 3.44 (W)
Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KGPA: 3.44 (W)
94
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 96%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.44 (W)
Acceptance: 96%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.44 (W)
95
Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
96
College of the Siskiyous
Weed, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
97
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
98
University of California - Davis
Davis, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 4.04 (W)
BA Theatre & Dance
Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KGPA: 4.04 (W)
99
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 87%Tuition: $58KAvg GPA: 3.58 (W)
Acceptance: 87%Tuition: $58KGPA: 3.58 (W)
100
Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
101
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
102
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
103
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Tuition: $15K
104
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.4 (W)
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.4 (W)
105
California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt
Arcata, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.42 (W)
Acceptance: 98%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.42 (W)
106
Laney College
Oakland, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
107
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 83%Tuition: $61KAvg GPA: 3.75 (W)
Acceptance: 83%Tuition: $61KGPA: 3.75 (W)
108
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
109
University of California - Riverside
Riverside, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 3.83 (W)
Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $50KGPA: 3.83 (W)
110
California State University - Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.22 (W)
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.22 (W)
111
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.61 (W)
Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.61 (W)
112
Yuba College
Marysville, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
113
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
114
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
115
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
116
Concordia University - Irvine
Irvine, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $43KAvg GPA: 3.69 (W)
Acceptance: 66%Tuition: $43KGPA: 3.69 (W)
117
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.49 (W)
Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.49 (W)
118
Biola University
La Mirada, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.63 (W)
Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.63 (W)
119
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
120
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
121
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 64%Tuition: $37KAvg GPA: 3.54 (W)
BA Music
Acceptance: 64%Tuition: $37KGPA: 3.54 (W)
122
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $53KAvg GPA: 3.74 (W)
Acceptance: 76%Tuition: $53KGPA: 3.74 (W)
123
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
124
University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $57KAvg GPA: 3.62 (W)
BM Music Performance
Acceptance: 71%Tuition: $57KGPA: 3.62 (W)
125
California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 97%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.2 (W)
BA Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 97%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.2 (W)
126
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
127
California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.5 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.5 (W)
128
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
129
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.34 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.34 (W)
130
Los Angeles Mission College
Sylmar, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
131
New York Film Academy - Los Angeles
Burbank, CA·Private
Tuition: $37K
Tuition: $37K
132
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA·Public
Tuition: $14K
Tuition: $14K
133
Shasta College
Redding, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
AA-T Theatre Arts
Tuition: $9K
134
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 48%Tuition: $61KAvg GPA: 3.72 (W)
BA Theatre Arts
Acceptance: 48%Tuition: $61KGPA: 3.72 (W)
135
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 73%Tuition: $50K
BA Music
Acceptance: 73%Tuition: $50K
136
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
AA Theater Arts
Tuition: $11K
137
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA·Private
Tuition: $31K
BFA Acting
Tuition: $31K
138
William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $37KAvg GPA: 3.33 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $37KGPA: 3.33 (W)
139
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 84%Tuition: $46KAvg GPA: 3.7 (W)
BA Music
Acceptance: 84%Tuition: $46KGPA: 3.7 (W)
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