TopUniversitiesUSA

California Private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture Universities

Compare 42 programs at 19 universities in California — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

19 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1
US University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1880

US #51 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$32,740/yr
Admission rate
10%
Earnings (10yr)
$92,498
Students
20,443
2
SU Stanford University logo

Stanford University

Stanford, California · Private University · Est. 1885

US #198 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,807/yr
Admission rate
4%
Earnings (10yr)
$124,080
Students
7,554
3
CB California Baptist University logo

California Baptist University

Riverside, California · Private University · Est. 1950

US #345 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$26,285/yr
Admission rate
85%
Earnings (10yr)
$61,504
Students
8,179
4
NU National University logo

National University

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1971

US #348 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$22,878/yr
Earnings (10yr)
$67,548
Students
10,794
5
AP Azusa Pacific University logo

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California · Private University · Est. 1899

US #362 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$22,212/yr
Admission rate
88%
Earnings (10yr)
$66,677
Students
2,759
6
GG Golden Gate University logo

Golden Gate University

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1901

US #788 ROI B Admissions open
Earnings (10yr)
$87,434
Students
259
7
AA Academy of Art University logo

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1929

US #813 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$40,613/yr
Earnings (10yr)
$39,008
Students
3,587
8
WU Woodbury University logo

Woodbury University

Burbank, California · Private University · Est. 1884

US #911 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$33,692/yr
Admission rate
82%
Earnings (10yr)
$65,668
Students
779
10
CI California Institute of the Arts logo

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California · Private University · Est. 1961

US #1448 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$46,080/yr
Admission rate
32%
Earnings (10yr)
$41,198
Students
860
11
CC California College of the Arts logo

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1907

US #1480 ROI D Admissions open
Net price
$53,909/yr
Admission rate
91%
Earnings (10yr)
$49,414
Students
990
12
NY New York Film Academy logo

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California · Private University · Est. 1992

US #1544 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$39,011/yr
Earnings (10yr)
$29,633
Students
849
13
AC Art Center College of Design logo

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California · Private University · Est. 1930

US #1552 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$48,661/yr
Admission rate
75%
Earnings (10yr)
$71,958
Students
2,017
14
LC Laguna College of Art and Design logo

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna Beach, California · Private University · Est. 1961

US #1630 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$42,505/yr
Admission rate
94%
Earnings (10yr)
$47,867
Students
746
15
NA Newschool of Architecture and Design logo

Newschool of Architecture and Design

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1980

US #1646 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$52,570/yr
Admission rate
100%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,891
Students
182
17
LA Los Angeles College of Music logo

Los Angeles College of Music

Pasadena, California · Private University · Est. 1996

US #1696 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$43,590/yr
Admission rate
88%
Earnings (10yr)
$31,758
Students
227
18
OC Otis College of Art and Design logo

Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1918

US #1701 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$51,248/yr
Admission rate
82%
Earnings (10yr)
$58,152
Students
1,223
19
DI Design Institute of San Diego logo

Design Institute of San Diego

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1977

US #1804 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$44,010/yr
Admission rate
100%
Earnings (10yr)
$46,920
Students
77

What this subject pays

Graduates of Arts, Design & Architecture programmes report a median $33,459 two years after finishing, across 456 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $26,125.

Arts, Design & Architecture pay by degree level →

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in California?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of Southern California, Stanford University, California Baptist University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in California?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in California?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

Why study in California?

Filtering by California keeps living costs, in-state tuition eligibility and part-time work in one place — the results above are limited to institutions located there.

About private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in California

This page lists private Master's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in California held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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