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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

53 Ranked Colleges
31,527 Degrees Awarded
$3,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across California, there were 94,556 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 31,527 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 53 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

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 “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,615 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pasadena City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $2,158 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Pasadena City College

#2

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #2 spot on the list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,672 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Golden West College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $1,941 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Golden West College

#3

Ventura College

Ventura, California
#19 in overall quality

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ventura College landed the #3 spot on the list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 773 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Ventura College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $506 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Ventura College Liberal Arts Report

#4

Chabot College

Hayward, California
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Chabot College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 407 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Chabot College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Chabot College is $3,261 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Chabot College Liberal Arts Report

#5

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of the Sequoias. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 879 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $590 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of the Sequoias

#6

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California
#14 in overall quality

Grossmont College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in El Cajon, California, and it awarded 655 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Grossmont College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,124 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grossmont College.

Full Grossmont College Liberal Arts Report

#7

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Santa Ana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Ana College is a large public school situated in Santa Ana, California. It awarded 237 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SAC is $3,801 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SAC Liberal Arts Report

#8

Palomar College

San Marcos, California
#10 in overall quality

Palomar College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Palomar College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,891 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Palomar College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Palomar College

#9

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Norwalk, California, and it awarded 228 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,407 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cerritos College

#10

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, California
#17 in overall quality

Orange Coast College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Costa Mesa, California, this fairly large public school handed out 481 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Orange Coast College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Orange Coast College is $2,438 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Orange Coast College

#11

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California
#12 in overall quality

Moreno Valley College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Moreno Valley College is located in Moreno Valley, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 276 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Moreno Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $4,633 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts Report

#12

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
#7 in overall quality

Riverside City College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 502 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $4,620 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Riverside City College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Riverside City College

#13

West Valley College

Saratoga, California
#22 in overall quality

West Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Saratoga, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 232 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, West Valley College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $2,203 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts Report

#14

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

City College of San Francisco landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at City College of San Francisco, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City College of San Francisco is $2,818 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City College of San Francisco

#15

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
#16 in overall quality

Santa Barbara City College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this fairly large public school awarded 567 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

SBCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Santa Barbara City College is $6,058 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SBCC Liberal Arts Report

#16

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, MiraCosta College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 596 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

MiraCosta College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $737 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MiraCosta College.

Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts Report

#17

Norco College

Norco, California
#15 in overall quality

Norco College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Norco, California, and it awarded 219 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Norco College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $5,099 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Norco College

#18

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California
#25 in overall quality

Saddleback College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it awarded 959 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Saddleback College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $3,741 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saddleback College Liberal Arts Report

#19

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Whittier, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 490 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,797 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend RHCCD.

Full RHCCD Liberal Arts Report

#20

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California
#2 in overall quality

Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Woodland Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,400 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pierce College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Pierce College is $9,387 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Pierce College

#21

Imperial Valley College

Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Imperial, California, and it awarded 234 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend IVC is $555 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Imperial Valley College

#22

Yuba College

Marysville, California

Yuba College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Yuba College is a medium-sized school located in Marysville, California that handed out 1 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Yuba College is $3,506 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Yuba College

#23

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Pittsburg, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 330 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos College is $4,220 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Los Medanos

#24

Hartnell College

Salinas, California

Hartnell College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hartnell College is a medium-sized school located in Salinas, California that handed out 589 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Hartnell College is $3,008 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Hartnell College

#25

El Camino College

Torrance, California
#6 in overall quality

El Camino College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Torrance, California, and it awarded 685 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

El Camino College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for El Camino College is $8,625 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at El Camino College

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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