Best Community Colleges In California For Art

The article would give you all the information on top community colleges in california for art, and would help you choose the best for your career. You will have an extensive list of the top 10 ranked community colleges in california. All these colleges are highly ranked by the U.S college search. If you want to further extend your research, you can use this link . This page provides an extensive list of community colleges in southern california which are again among the top in their class.

The Californian higher education system is among the most respected in the country, and students come here from all over the world to enjoy their time here. However, with thousands of colleges, universities, and community colleges to choose from, it takes a while to narrow down your options to find the right one that fits your needs.

You can obtain information and relevant facts about the best art colleges in California from Collegelearners. Find relevant information on the best community colleges in California for international students, top 10 community colleges in California, the best community colleges in California for transfer, art schools in California high school, art schools in California ranking and best community colleges in Southern California etc. You can do no wrong in searching for the information you need on Collegelearners.

Best Community Colleges In California For Art

Academy Resource Center | Academy of Art University

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, San Francisco and online (Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Jewelry & Metal Arts, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Photography, Visual Development, Web Design & New Media)

ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN, San Rafael Hills and Pasadena (Advertising, Entertainment Design, Environmental Design, Film, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interaction Design, Photography and Imaging, Product Design and Transportation Design)

ART STUDIO, UC Davis University of California, Davis (Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, Printmaking, Time-based Media)

BROOKS INSTITUTE, Santa Barbara (Film / Communication, Graphic Design, Visual Journalism, Photography) 

CAED: COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, Cal Poly – California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obisbo (Architecture, Landscape Architecture)

CALARTS: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS, Valencia (Art, Graphic Design, Photography and Media, Art and Technology, Character Animation, Experimental Animation, Film and Video)

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, San Francisco (previously called California College of Arts and Crafts) (Animation, Architecture, Ceramics, Community Arts, Fashion Design, Film, Furniture, Glass, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Jewelry / Metal Arts, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles, Visual Studies)

COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT DESIGN, Cal Poly: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Architecture, Art, Landscape Architecture)

BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE, Bakersfield, Delano and online (Studio Arts, Architectural Drafting, Industrial Drawing, Architectural CAD)

BERKELEY COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, University of California, Berkeley (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design)

CERRITOS COLLEGE, Norwalk (Fine Arts & Communications, Art & Design, Photography, Architecture)

CHABOT COLLEGE, Hayward and online (Architecture, Art, Digital Media, Film, Interior Design)

CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO, San Francisco (Art, Broadcast Electronic Media Arts, Cinema, Photography, Visual Media Design, Fashion, Architecture, Interior Design)

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, University of San Francisco, San Francisco (Advertising, Architecture and Community Design, Design, Fine Arts, Film Studies, Media Studies)

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND THE ARTS, San José State University, San José (Art Education, Fine Arts, Photography, Spatial Arts)

COLLEGE OF MARIN, Kentfield (Architecture, Art)

COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO, San Mateo (Studio Art, Photography, Broadcast & Electronic Media, Graphic Design, Web/Multimedia)

COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS, Visalia (Commercial Arts, Communication, Art, Adobe, Architectural Design, Architectural Drafting, Architectural Visual Communication, Architecture, AutoCAD)

DEPARTMENT OF ART, San Francisco State University, San Francisco (Fine Art, Art Education)

DODGE COLLEGE OF FILM AND MEDIA ARTS and WILKINSON COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, Chapman University, Orange County (Film Studies, Film Production, Digital Arts, Creative Producing, Graphic Design, Art)

D.SCHOOL: INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AT STANFORDSTANFORD DESIGN PROGRAM and STANFORD DEPARTMENT OF ART & ART HISTORY, Stanford University, Stanford (Art Practice, Design, Documentary Film and Video, Film and Media Studies, Product Design, Design Thinking, Building Innovative Brands, Design & Science, Game Design, Vehicle Design, Movie Design, Storytelling & Graphic Design, Public Relations & Advertising)

EL CAMINO COLLEGE, Torrance (Architecture, Art, Digital Arts, Fashion, Film / Video, Fine Arts, Photography)

EXCEPTIONAL MINDS, Sherman Oaks (Multi-Media, Computer Animation, Post Production)

FRESNO CITY COLLEGE, Fresno and online (Architecture, Computer Aided Drafting, Graphic Communications, Photography, Art)

FULLERTON COLLEGE, Fullerton and online (Advertising, Architecture, Art, Computer Graphics, Fashion, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, TV / Film)

GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Glendale and online (Animation, Architecture, Art, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Media Arts, Photography, Studio Arts) 

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE, Huntington Beach (Art History, 2D Design, 3D Design, Ceramics, Drawing, Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography)

LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, Laguna Beach (Game Art, Fine Art, Illustration, Design & Digital Media, Animation)

LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE, Los Angeles (Architecture, Art, Photography)

LOS ANGELES HARBOR COLLEGE, Wilmington (Ceramics, Design, Digital, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Architecture)

LOS ANGELES TRADE TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Los Angeles (Digital Media, Fashion Design, Sign Graphics, Tailoring, Visual Communications, Art)

LOS ANGELES VALLEY COLLEGE, Valley Glen (Art, Cinema, Media Arts, Photography, Architecture)

MERCED COLLEGE, Merced (Digital Media, Visual Arts, Photography)

MIRACOSTA COLLEGE, Oceanside and online (Art, Design, Film, Media Arts & Technologies)

MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE, Modesto (Art, Ceramics, Computer Graphics, Drawing, Design, Sculpture, Painting, Photography)

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE, Walnut (Architecture, Computer Aided Design, Fine Arts, Animation & Gaming, Graphic Design & Illustration, Photography)

NEWSCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN, San Diego (Interior Architecture & Design, Product Design, Architecture, Media Design, Animation, Game Art and Programming)

NORCO COLLEGE, Norco (Art, Photography, Architecture)

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE, Costa Mesa (Art, Digital Media Arts & Design, Film & Video, Photography)

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, Los Angeles (Architecture / Landscape / Interiors, Advertising Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Game and Entertainment Design, Motion Design, Fashion Design, Painting, Photography, Sculpture / New Genres, Product Design, Toy Design)

PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE, Angwin (Film & Television, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Film and Theater Studies)

PIERCE COLLEGE, Woodland Hills (Architecture, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Web Design, Drawing, Painting, Digital Imaging, Art, Sculpture, Multimedia, Photography, Cinema)

PITZER COLLEGE, Claremont (Studio Art, Media Studies)

RIO HONDO COLLEGE, Whittier (Visual Arts, Ceramics, Photography, Painting, Drawing, 2D and 3D Design, Digital Animation, Commercial Arts)

RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE, Riverside (Art, Digital Media, Graphics Technology, Photography)

SADDLEBACK COLLEGE, Mission Viejo (Architectural drafting, Fashion, Graphics, Interior Design, Art, Photography)

SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COLLEGE, San Bernadino and online (Art)

SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE, San Diego (Architecture, Fine Art, Ceramics, Digital Art, Design, Photography and New Genres, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Multimedia, Web Development)

SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, San Francisco (Art & Technology, Film, New Genres, Painting, Photography)

SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE, Stockton (Fashion, Interior Design, Art, Graphic Arts, Photography)

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE OF DESIGN, ART AND ARCHITECTURE, Santa Monica (Art, Communication and Media Studies, Entertainment Technology, Graphic Design, Interior Architectural Design, Fashion Design)

SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE, Santa Rosa (Architecture, Computer Aided Design / Drafting, Computer Animation, Art, Media, Adobe Application, Digital Media, Graphics Design, Fashion, Interior Design)

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, Woodbury University, San Diego (Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture)

SCI-ARC: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE, Los Angeles (Architecture)

SDSU SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN, College of Professional Studies & Fine Arts, San Diego State University, San Diego (Ceramics, Fiber, Jewelry & Metals, Furniture Design & Woodworking, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Multimedia, Painting & Printmaking, Sculpture, Studio Arts)

SOTHEBY’S INSTITUTE OF ART, Los Angeles Art Business, Art Management

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE, Chula Vista (Art, Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Telemedia)

UCI CLAIRE TREVOR SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, Irvine (Art)

UCLA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE, University of California, Los Angeles (Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design / Media Arts)

UC RIVERSIDE ARTS, University of California, Riverside (Painting, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Inter-media, Video, Digital Art)

USC CINEMATIC ARTS, University of Southern California Film School, Los Angeles (Animation & Digital Arts, Interactive Media & Games, Film & TV Production, Media Arts & Practice)

USC SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, University of Southern California, Los Angeles (Architecture)

VENTURA COLLEGE, Ventura (Architecture, Art, Photography)

WEST VALLEY COLLEGE, Saratoga (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Photography)

top community colleges in california

#10 – Las Positas College

Livermore, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 38%

Tuition/Fees: $1,164

Located 40 miles outside of San Francisco, Las Positas College breaks into the top ten on our list of best community colleges in California. The college offers a robust assortment of degrees including 24 occupational associate degrees, 17 associate transfer degrees, and 44 certificate programs. As more students are beginning to prefer online learning, the college has responded by providing online classes that allow students to earn an associate’s degree completely online. Many of Las Positas’ students take their courses completely online, enabling them to keep their other commitments such as work and family. The institution offers several financial aid programs including the Pell and SEOG grants in addition to the California College Promise Grant Waiver Program that pays for two years worth of tuition, fees, and books.

#9 – Ohlone College

Fremont, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 44%

Tuition/Fees: $1,164

Ohlone ranks #9 on our list of best community colleges in California due to its strong graduate rate and affordable tuition. The institution prides itself on its diverse student body, with students from over 40 countries seeking to earn one of Ohlone’s 195 degrees or certificates. Students can earn an associate’s degree entirely online or choose to take a mixture of classes, including seated and hybrid. As an open door community college, admission requires students to possess a high school diploma or a GED and does not require students take standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT but will accept scores as placement into classes.

#8 – College of the Siskiyous

Weed, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 24%

Tuition/Fees: $1,156

College of the Siskiyous ranks as one of the top community colleges in California with an assortment of associate degrees in virtually any career field or bachelor’s degree major. The majority of students at the institution receive financial aid with many of them paying little or nothing towards their tuition, books, and fees. Because of the low tuition costs, federal and state financial aid programs generally cover the majority of the costs to attend. Students are able to take distance learning classes using Canvas, the college’s online learning platform, to earn an associate’s degree designed to transfer to a four-year institution.

#7 – MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 30%

Tuition/Fees: $1,152

MiraCosta College ranks #7 on our top community colleges in California. The institution is a statewide leader in online education and offers over 600 online and hybrid classes that allow students to work towards a degree without interrupting their other commitments. In addition to the online classes, the institution provides several support mechanisms including an online tutoring center, writing center, library support center, and more. In addition, students are able to receive academic and career counseling online. Students can apply online to the college using the application portal. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or a GED. No standardized testing is required.

#6 – Irvine Valley College

Irvine, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 46%

Tuition/Fees: $1,144

Consistently one of the best community colleges in California, Irvine Valley College first opened as a satellite campus before becoming a stand-alone institution in 1985. Currently, the institution offers 39 associate in arts degrees, 21 associate in science degrees, 17 associate in arts transfer, and 7 associate in science transfer degrees designed to parlay into a four-year degree at a college or university or prepare the graduate for a sustainable career. Irvine Valley offers several hundred online and hybrid courses for student unable to attend seated classes. Students earn the same degree as their on-campus peers and the transcript says nothing about online classes.

2021 Best Community Colleges in California | BestColleges

#5 – Fullerton College

Fullerton, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 31%

Tuition/Fees: $1,142

Fullerton College ranks #5 on our list of best community colleges in California thanks to a robust offering of degrees, online student support, and generous financial aid packages. The institution currently has 122 associate degrees designed to transfer or move immediately into the workforce. In addition, the college has an entire Distance Education Department to provide support for students taking online or hybrid courses. Fullerton offers several financial aid grants such as the California College Promise Grant, Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant, Pell Grant, and much more. The college’s foundation also provided funding through several merit- and need-based scholarships.

#4 – Cypress College

Cypress, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 30%

Tuition/Fees: $1,142

Cypress College consistently ranks as one of the top community colleges in California and ranks #4 on our list. Cypress offers 56 university transfer majors, 73 degree programs, and 176 certificates to ensure students find the right credential to meet their personal and academic needs. In addition, Cypress is one of the few California Community Colleges to offer bachelor degrees in select majors. Cypress is one of the leading institutions that feed transfer students to California four-year universities. To gain admission to Cypress College, students must complete an admission application and have a GED or high school diploma from an accredited high school.

#3 – Napa Valley College

Napa, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 33%

Tuition/Fees: $1,142

Ranking #3 on our list of top community colleges in California, Napa Valley College currently offers over 100 online courses designed to transfer to a four-year university or college or to prepare students for a career. Napa Valley has full accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Napa Valley offers both state and federal financial aid for students who qualify. In addition, the institution provides students with merit- and need-based funds. Admission is based on students having a high school diploma or GED.

#2 – Copper Mountain Community College

Joshua Tree, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 23%

Tuition/Fees: $1,112

Copper Mountain Community College ranks as one of the best community colleges in California based on its strong student support services and commitment to making college affordable. The majority of students at Copper Mountain receive financial aid with little or no money required out-of-pocket. In addition, the college is one of the California institutions that offer the California College Promise Grant, which gives students two years’ worth of tuition, books, and fees when they maintain full-time status and an acceptable GPA. Students can choose from a wide range of two-year transfer degrees or workforce degrees, depending on their academic goals.

#1 – Taft College

Taft, California

Website

Graduation Rate: 37%

Tuition/Fees: $1,104

Ranking #1 in community colleges in California, Taft College provides students with options of 43 associate degrees and 30 certificate programs such as criminal justice, dental hygiene, engineering, computer science, and more. The institution boasts an excellent graduation and transfer rate, along with low tuition costs, making it a great value. Taft is adding distance courses and degrees to its catalog every year and continues to integrate the latest in distance learning technology while training faculty to help online learners achieve their goals. With generous financial aid and scholarships available, the majority of Taft College students pay little or nothing at all towards their tuition, fees, and books.

best community colleges in southern california

Complete List of the 17 Art Schools in California

Community Colleges are often times two year colleges that can be junior colleges, technical colleges, or city colleges.  Unfortunately, there is an opinion that community colleges are for those kids not smart enough to be accepted by a larger 4 year college or university.  That is not the case.  Many very capable and intelligent students choose California community colleges.

Why choose a community college?  Most students will choose to start at a community college for a few reasons.  One is to save money, community college students are saving money and can be attended without going into student loans right away.  Most credits earned at a community college transfer to a 4 year college as regular credits.  Classes can be much smaller and provide more one on one learning opportunities. Last many offer career-oriented programs.

Top 5 Community Colleges in California

RANKSCHOOLLOCATION
1Cypress CollegeCypress, California
2Taft CollegeTaft, California
3Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut, California
4Charles A. Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento, California
5Mira Costa CollegeOceanside, California

The name Community College was given to these institutions for higher learning because these colleges primarily attract students from the local community and are largely supported by local tax dollars.

Affordable community colleges are a vital pathway to increased education and enhanced employment opportunities.  There are plenty of student services to help students succeed. Both of which are vital for students to advance within their community and earn higher salaries in the future.  This is a great way to springboard into the next phase of higher learning or advanced career placement.

Below are the top Community Colleges in California that have been selected as the best Community Colleges in California.

The selection is based on the following factors:

  • Retention Rate
  • Completion/Graduation Rate
  • Sustained achievement outcomes: Ongoing success of transfer or graduation rate
  • Employment rate: Strong rate of employment and salary upon program completion
  • Cost to Value: Cost of Tuition and Financial Aid opportunities

best community colleges in california for international students

1. Cypress College

  • Cypress, California
  • Graduation Rate: 33%

Cypress has a community feel and faculty that cares about and knows their students.  With a faculty to student ratio of 25:1 students enjoy more personalized instruction.  Popular majors at Cypress include Humanities, Business Administration, Biology, and STEM majors.  Cypress is also one of the best online community colleges in California. It offers full-time online courses as well as evening courses making it a very flexible institution for higher learning.  Currently, 81% of graduates are employed within two years of graduation.

School Overview

  • Location: Cypress, California
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Tuition: $1,200 (per Semester, In-State)
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Enrollment: 5,251
  • Graduation Rate: 33%

2. Taft College

  • Taft, California
  • Graduation Rate: 35%

Taft College offers diversity in students, faculty and programs.  Those enrolled in sports, Westec, or other programs receive priority registration.  Majors and programs that have seen the highest enrollment are humanities, childcare, and health service providers.  Students love the small college town feel and the flexibility offered through online and evening courses.  Some can fully earn their Associate degree entirely online and still receive personalized help form passionate professors.

School Overview

Location: Taft, California, Acceptance Rate: 100%, Tuition: $1,400 (per Semester, In-State) Financial Aid: Yes, Enrollment: 5,200 Graduation Rate: 35%

3. Mt. San Antonio College

  • Walnut, California
  • Graduation Rate: 32%

Mt. San Antonio College aka Mt. SAC is one of the best community colleges in California for nursing. It boasts 90 degrees and over 150 certificate programs ranging from graphic design to nursing to HVAC, Mt. SAC is a fabulous place to start any career.  There are also competitive athletic teams for students to participate in while they are pursuing their studies here.  With online and evening courses Mt. SAC offers flexibility along with a college culture like four-year colleges and universities.  Another great benefit Mt. SAC offers is student diversity and personable professors.

School Overview

Location: Walnut, California Acceptance Rate: 100% Tuition: $1,350 (per Semester, In-State) Financial Aid: Yes Enrollment: 10,340 Graduation Rate: 32%

4. Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center

  • Sacramento, California
  • Graduation Rate: 75%

Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center offers a career and technical program designed to prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become employed and further their careers.  Programs offered include nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, HVAC and ESL among others.  Most students are employed upon graduation and are well prepared to fill those positions.  Both day and evening courses are available in order to better meet the needs of working adults seeking to further their education and training.

School Overview

Location: Sacramento, California Acceptance Rate: 100% Tuition: $4,757 (per Year) Financial Aid: Yes Enrollment: 500 Graduation Rate: 75%

5. Mira Costa College

  • Oceanside, California
  • Graduation Rate: 37%

Mira Costa College has its main campus in Oceanside with three other smaller campuses, another in Oceanside, one in San Elijo, and the last in Carlsbad.  It is important to note what campus offers the courses you are interested in taking, they do not all offer the exact same courses.  Overall the most popular programs taken by students are the liberal arts, childcare provider and biology.  Many of the credits earned at Mira Costa are transferable to 4 year colleges. There is great diversity among students that attend Mira Costa, whether you are attending right out of high school or getting extra training for your job, Mira Costa provides flexible schedules and courses.

School Overview

Location: Oceanside, California. Acceptance Rate: 100% Tuition: $1,160 (per Semester, In-State), Financial Aid: Yes. Enrollment: 10,500. Graduation Rate: 37%

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