15 Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Programs
| # | School | Net Price | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, California
|
$5,646 | $7,073 | 69.2% | 66.7% |
| 2 |
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
|
$14,013 | $13,747 | 92.7% | 8.6% |
| 3 |
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
|
$14,317 | $35,558 | 55.9% | 75.0% |
| 4 |
University of Redlands
Redlands, California
|
$22,867 | $57,614 | 70.7% | 81.9% |
| 5 |
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California
|
$25,009 | $48,132 | 53.4% | 75.8% |
| 6 |
University of the Pacific
Stockton, California
|
$25,926 | $55,340 | 67.8% | 93.2% |
| 7 |
National University
San Diego, California
|
$31,058 | $13,320 | 50.0% | |
| 8 |
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, California
|
$31,198 | $56,134 | 69.0% | 87.9% |
| 9 |
Pitzer College
Claremont, California
|
$31,663 | $62,692 | 83.2% | 18.4% |
| 10 |
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
|
$31,927 | $68,237 | 92.0% | 12.0% |
| 11 |
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California
|
$32,121 | $36,930 | 63.7% | 78.2% |
| 12 |
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California
|
$33,130 | 42.2% | ||
| 13 |
Los Angeles College of Music
Pasadena, California
|
$40,853 | $25,650 | 47.4% | 82.8% |
| 14 |
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
|
$45,409 | $66,742 | 84.7% | 48.7% |
| 15 |
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California
|
$47,183 | $56,724 | 64.2% | 24.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains the massive cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?
The $41,537 gap between Cal State Fullerton ($5,646) and California Institute of the Arts ($47,183) primarily reflects public versus private funding models. Public universities receive state subsidies that significantly reduce net costs, while specialized arts institutions like CalArts operate without state support. UCLA manages to keep costs at $14,013 despite its elite status through California's solid public funding system.
How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?
Higher-cost programs generally show stronger graduation rates, with UCLA and USC both exceeding 92% while charging $14,013 and $31,927 respectively. The two for-profit schools - Los Angeles Film School and Los Angeles College of Music - show the lowest graduation rates at 42.20% and 47.40%. However, Cal State Fullerton breaks this pattern with a solid 69.20% graduation rate despite its $5,646 cost.
Do earnings justify the higher costs at expensive private programs?
Earnings data suggests mixed returns on investment across California's programs. USC graduates earn $25,194 despite the $31,927 net cost, while Los Angeles Film School graduates average $22,986 after paying $33,130. Cal State Fullerton graduates earn the highest reported salary at $29,685 while paying the lowest tuition, creating the most favorable cost-to-earnings ratio among programs with available data.
Where do most affordable Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management programs cluster geographically?
Los Angeles area schools dominate the list with 7 of 15 programs, including the most expensive (CalArts at $47,183) and some mid-range options like USC and Mount Saint Mary's. The most affordable option, Cal State Fullerton, sits in Orange County just outside LA's entertainment center. Northern California offers fewer choices, with only Saint Mary's College and University of the Pacific serving the Bay Area market.
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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.