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2025 Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region

135 Colleges in the Far Western US Region
124,040 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Liberal Arts is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #2 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 135 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 124,040 degrees in liberal arts annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School

Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region Your choice of liberal arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Liberal Arts School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Liberal Arts Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Liberal Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Studies
Master's Degrees in Liberal Studies

The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Liberal Arts in the Far Western US Region

The schools below may not offer all types of liberal studies degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Far Western US Region Schools in Liberal Studies

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
97th Most Popular In CA
61 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in liberal arts has to check out Saint Mary's College of California. Located in the suburb of Moraga, SMC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #148 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SMC is a great college overall.

There were about 61 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Saint Mary’s College of California

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62nd Most Popular In CA
156 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat California State University - Sacramento if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts. Sac State is a very large public university located in the city of Sacramento. A Best Colleges rank of #267 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Sac State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 156 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Sacramento

Sponsored
Associates Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts Program Name

Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
TAC crest
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
93rd Most Popular In CA
115 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Thomas Aquinas College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Santa Paula, TAC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #140 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means TAC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 115 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at TAC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
84th Most Popular In CA
85 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in liberal arts needs to look into California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo. A Best Colleges rank of #165 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a great university overall.

There were approximately 85 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CA
3,304 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Irvine Valley College is a large public college located in the city of Irvine. A Best Colleges rank of #146 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Irvine Valley College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 3304 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Irvine Valley College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Irvine Valley College

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
49th Most Popular In CA
233 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.

There were about 233 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from San Diego State University

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
32nd Most Popular In CA
493 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #230 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means MJC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 493 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at MJC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Modesto Junior College

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in General Studies Program Name

Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
86th Most Popular In CA
87 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 87 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from San Francisco State University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
35th Most Popular In CA
282 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

CSUN is a very large public university located in the large city of Northridge. This university ranks 48th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 282 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Northridge

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
105th Most Popular In CA
37 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Azusa Pacific is a great university overall.

There were roughly 37 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Azusa Pacific University

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51st Most Popular In CA
209 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Chico State is a large public university located in the city of Chico. This university ranks 64th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 209 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Chico State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Chico

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
81st Most Popular In CA
118 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize suburb of Seaside, CSUMB is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 72nd out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 118 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at CSUMB in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Monterey Bay

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In OR
223 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 29 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were about 223 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Portland State University

14
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OR
1,374 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Portland Community College is a very large public college located in the large city of Portland. This college ranks 4th out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were about 1374 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Portland Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Portland Community College

15
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
50th Most Popular In CA
1,061 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

SCC is a large public college located in the midsize city of Orange. This college ranks 49th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 1061 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SCC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Santiago Canyon College

16
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
3,319 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Golden West College is a large public college located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. This college ranks 52nd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 3319 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Golden West College

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
36th Most Popular In CA
279 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #246 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.

There were approximately 279 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Long Beach

18
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
33rd Most Popular In WA

Located in the large city of Seattle, Seattle U is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #155 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Seattle U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 16 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Seattle U in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Seattle University

19
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In CA
3,819 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Saddleback College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo. A Best Colleges rank of #332 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Saddleback College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 3819 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Saddleback College

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
72nd Most Popular In CA
158 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Carson, CSUDH is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 91st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 158 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at CSUDH in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from California State University - Dominguez Hills

21
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
80th Most Popular In CA
137 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Rohnert Park, SSU is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 68th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 137 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Sonoma State University

22
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
41st Most Popular In CA
1,743 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 69th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 1743 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Cerritos College

23
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NV
720 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 3rd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nevada.

There were approximately 720 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at CSN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from College of Southern Nevada

24
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
67th Most Popular In CA
97 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Irvine, Brandman is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 57th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 97 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Brandman in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Brandman University

25
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
22nd Most Popular In CA
504 Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded

Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the city of Riverside. This college ranks 71st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 504 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in liberal arts from Riverside City College

Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region

26
27
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region award.

Rank College Location
28 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
29 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA
30 Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA
31 Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA
32 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
33 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
34 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
35 Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA
36 Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR
37 Ventura College Ventura, CA
38 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
39 Shasta College Redding, CA
40 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
41 Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CA
42 College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA
43 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
44 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
45 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA

Best Liberal Arts Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
California 999 36,471
Washington 831 17,106
Oregon 587 5,480
Nevada 354 1,257
Hawaii 267 1,884
Alaska 167 410

View All Rankings >

Liberal Arts is one of 3 different types of Liberal Arts General Studies programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Humanities 15,533
General Studies 5,181
Individualized Studies 396

View All Liberal Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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