Best bfa programs in california

I've taken the first step for you by compiling a list of the top fine arts colleges and bachelor's programs in the country. Each one offers something a little different, making this ranking list a bit more unique and a bit more interesting than your average college ranking list.

Because it's difficult and perhaps unhelpful to give these schools a definite ranking on this list, I've separated them into school type. I've also prepared some strategies for figuring out which schools best meet your own personal needs. But before all that, I'll answer a more basic question: what is a fine arts college exactly? Simply put, a fine arts college is a school that educates students in the visual or performing arts.

These schools offer a couple of different degree options:. Once you choose your degree type, you'll most likely have to choose an arts specialty. This is similar to a major that helps you home in on and excel within a particular field or area. Many fine arts colleges have a wide variety of specialties to choose from, such as acting, musical theater, ceramics, computer animation, creative writing, dance, sculpture, painting, and drawing.

The standard fine arts school only offers degree programs that focus on, well, the fine arts. I'll present the top degree programs at both fine arts colleges and other colleges and universities in the following ranking list.

Fine arts colleges are generally either specialized stand-alone institutions or programs embedded within a larger university. Because fine arts programs can come in so many forms and aren't necessarily standardized, they can be tricky to compare. As a result, I used a combination of aggregated ranking lists and industry opinions to compile a list of the top fine arts colleges in the country.

Colleges that specialize solely in fine arts are pretty different from larger liberal arts universities, so I separated the schools into lists based on this distinction. Once I separated them into these two groups, I arranged them in alphabetical order. Although there are a few stellar, stand-out institutions which I make note of at the beginning of each section , fine arts schools rankings are difficult to standardize because they can offer such different resources for students; therefore, I encourage you to look for schools that best fit your own artistic goals and preferences when considering these lists.

As for the factors I looked at when deciding to include a school on this list, I primarily considered things such as quality of facilities, program faculty, alumni network, industry opinions, aggregated ranking lists, and program offerings.

If you're interested in any of the fine arts schools listed below and want admission stats for them, just click the school name. Now then, let's get to the rankings! I imagine you'll be moving way beyond primary colors at any of these fine arts schools.

The real standouts here—the fine arts schools that tend to be ranked at the top of lists year after year—are the Rhode Island School of Design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. You may notice when you review the list that these schools tend to be relatively larger than some others, with a wider variety of program offerings.

California College of the Arts is primarily dedicated to educating students in the arts. It offers an array of 15 majors and minors in the fine arts , including an individualized major option for students who may have extremely niche interests. The college has a highly accomplished faculty and regularly welcomes visiting artists, designers, and writers. Its student-faculty ratio is an impressively low Maryland Institute College of Art offers 20 different art majors , including several interdisciplinary options such as interactive arts and interdisciplinary sculpture.

In addition, students get to choose from a wide range of studio concentrations. The institute's faculty includes professional artists, designers, art historians, poets, and writers. It also has an impressive student-faculty ratio. MICA is particularly strong in graphic design, painting, and drawing , so it's an excellent option for students who wish to pursue any of those artistic concentrations.

The school also offers several associate degrees in fine arts if you're not sure whether you want to commit to a bachelor's program. Overall, this institution is ranked consistently well for its fine arts, design, and studio programs. It offers 17 fine arts majors along with state-of-the-art facilities and tools. RISD prides itself on providing students with numerous opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty mentors. And the faculty is very impressive, too: many are renowned artists, such as Chris Van Allsburg, a famous children's book illustrator.

One of RISD's biggest appeals, however, is its location: Providence is said to be one of the most artistically cultured cities in the United States. The Savannah College of Art and Design , or SCAD, is one of the most prestigious art and design institutions in the United States and is home to an impressive variety of fine arts specializations for undergraduates.

Students can earn a degree in almost anything you can think of, from animation and visual effects to fibers and furniture design. The school also has an impressive faculty and alumni network—a big plus when it comes time to apply to grad school or jobs. Because of its size, it can offer some more unique specializations, including things like art therapy and visual communication. SAIC has over faculty members , which might make it easier to find a professor or mentor who shares your specific interests and passions.

The institute is also affiliated with one of the best art museums in the country. It offers many flexible degree programs to artistically inclined students and a BFA program in fine arts through its highly regarded Parsons School of Design. By bringing the students together, it allows them to develop long term relations through collaborations. Accepting less than 50 trainees in one year, you can only expect them to produce the best.

Some of their courses include editing, directing, cinematography, scriptwriting, and design. As a moderately sized private school located in the city of Los Angeles, it provides some of the best courses. One of the things that set it apart is its spirit of collaboration. Founded in the University is committed to fostering an academic community and provides an opportunity for real-world engagements and intellectual experience.

As the global center of arts, it has everything you need in film school. Situated in Orange City, Chapman University far from the big city but close enough for students who are looking for practical engagement. After graduating, the students get titles such as BFA and MFA in film production, film studies, film and television production, screenwriting, production design, and TV production. Some of the courses are even joint degrees with business and law schools.

Columbia College Hollywood is a unique film school located in the heart of the entertainment industry. Founded in , it offers undergraduate studies in television, film, directing, acting, visual effects, and new media production, among others.

To show the students the practical aspects of the work, it has full production and screening rooms. Whether you want to become a Foley artist, screenwriter, or director of photography, it has everything you need. It offers MFA and other art and design courses. The best part is that artists around collaborate to provide the students with the best training. San Francisco State University is a very large university that offers many disciplines alongside film programs.

They focus on both studies history, theory, and criticism as well as production. They have world-class faculty, a diverse student body and an intense creative culture that takes advantage of of the region and state industry.

Production classes include 16mm film, VR, screenwriting for games, and sound design. Studies classes include world cinema and popular weekend workshops. The program is renowned for their experimental and documentary film programs and have a robust fiction program. Animation is a jewel in the school as well.

Their programming focused on race, rebellion and resistance as well as women of color in Hollywood features distinguished guests and alumni. Overall, it offers some of the best courses and degree programs. Since starting its film and media school, it has been ranked as one of the best colleges in the California area. Apart from the arts, students can get training in marketing, administration, and communication.

That gives them an opportunity to join the working environment as soon as they graduate. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT.

She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers. How to Get a Perfect , by a Perfect Scorer. Score on SAT Math. Score on SAT Reading. Score on SAT Writing. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? How to Get a Perfect 4. How to Write an Amazing College Essay. A Comprehensive Guide.

Choose Your Test. How to Use This Article I recommend using this article as a jumping off point to do more research on which performing arts schools are right for you.