2026 Best General Education Schools in California

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of California Los Angeles this year for general education. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 224 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $67,010 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of California Los Angeles

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #2. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 151 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $77,526. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from California State University Sacramento

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 137 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $85,162 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Stanford University

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for general education. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of California Berkeley

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. See the full general education program report for California State University Fullerton

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for general education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 68 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,982 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. See the full general education program report for California State University Long Beach

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 125 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $91,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. Read more about the general education program at University Of California San Diego

8

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #8 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 154 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $61,108. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Riverside

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #9 for general education this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 32 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. More information about a degree in general education from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

10

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #10 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 126 general education students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $61,550 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Point Loma Nazarene University

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for general education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent data year. Get the full general education details for California State University Bakersfield

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 250 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,106 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from University Of California Irvine

13

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #13 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 91 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $59,285 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404. See the full general education program report for University Of California Davis

14

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne earned the #14 position for general education this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at University Of La Verne

15

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #15 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 66 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Saint Marys College Of California

16

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #16 spot for general education this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 43 general education degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Chapman University earn around $37,928 in the first couple years of their career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,746 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Chapman University

17

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #17 for general education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 70 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. General Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. See the full general education program report for California State University Dominguez Hills

18

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. About 53 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $73,028 early in their careers. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of San Diego

19

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #19 for general education this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $80,657 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Sonoma State University

20

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University landed the #20 spot for general education this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 176 general education students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $67,260. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169. More information about a degree in general education from California Baptist University

21

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #21 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 29 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. More information about a degree in general education from California State University Northridge

22

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 general education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $78,963. Typical student debt for the program is $23,709. See the full general education program report for Azusa Pacific University

23

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #23 among the best general education schools. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $62,201 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Get the full general education details for University Of San Francisco

24

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for general education this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University San Marcos awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University San Marcos earn around $77,823 in the first couple years of their career. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at California State University San Marcos

25

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #25 spot for general education this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 44 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Vanguard University Of Southern California