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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

51 Ranked Colleges
31,527 Degrees Awarded
$3,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 $30-$48k” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 51 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pasadena City College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Pasadena City College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 1,615 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Pasadena City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,968 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pasadena City College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pasadena City College

#2

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Golden West College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 $2,962 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Golden West College

#3

Ventura College

Ventura, California
#19 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 773 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ventura College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $978 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Ventura College

#4

Chabot College

Hayward, California
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chabot College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chabot College is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 407 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chabot College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chabot College is $4,559 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Chabot College

#5

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California
#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grossmont College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grossmont College is a public institution located in El Cajon, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 655 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grossmont College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grossmont College is $2,899 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Grossmont College Liberal Arts Report

#6

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Sequoias is a public institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 879 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $923 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of the Sequoias

#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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 237 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Santa Ana College

#8

Palomar College

San Marcos, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Palomar College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this large public school handed out 70 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Palomar College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Palomar College is $3,367 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Palomar College Liberal Arts Report

#9

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Riverside City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 502 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Riverside City College

#10

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cerritos College is a large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 228 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,988 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cerritos College

#11

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Moreno Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 276 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moreno Valley College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Moreno Valley College

#12

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 481 associates’s liberal studies degrees 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 $3,002 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Orange Coast College

#13

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

City College of San Francisco landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City College of San Francisco is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 5 associates’s liberal studies degrees 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 $2,607 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City College of San Francisco

#14

West Valley College

Saratoga, California
#22 in overall quality

West Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saratoga, California, and it awarded 232 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

West Valley College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,789 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at West Valley College

#15

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
#16 in overall quality

Santa Barbara City College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this fairly large public school awarded 567 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

SBCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SBCC is $6,423 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Santa Barbara City College Liberal Arts Report

#16

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California
#23 in overall quality

MiraCosta College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, MiraCosta College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,469 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MiraCosta College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at MiraCosta College

#17

Norco College

Norco, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Norco College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norco College is a fairly large school located in Norco, California that handed out 219 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Norco College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list.

Full Norco College Liberal Arts Report

#18

Yuba College

Marysville, California

Yuba College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Yuba College is $3,860 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Yuba College Liberal Arts Report

#19

Imperial Valley College

Imperial, California

Imperial Valley 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 $30-$48k ranking. Imperial Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Imperial, California. It awarded 234 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend IVC is $843 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Imperial Valley College

#20

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California
#2 in overall quality

Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Pierce College is a public institution located in Woodland Hills, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,400 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pierce College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,474 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pierce College.

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%.

Full Pierce College Liberal Arts Report

#21

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

Rio Hondo 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 $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 490 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend RHCCD is $5,553 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full RHCCD Liberal Arts Report

#22

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California
#25 in overall quality

Saddleback College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mission Viejo, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 959 students in 2019-2020.

Saddleback College also took the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $3,462 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Saddleback College Liberal Arts Report

#23

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, California, and it awarded 330 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos College is $5,277 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Los Medanos Liberal Arts Report

#24

El Camino College

Torrance, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, El Camino College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Torrance, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 685 students 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 yearly cost to attend El Camino College is $9,693 for California Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at El Camino College

#25

Hartnell College

Salinas, California

Hartnell College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hartnell College is located in Salinas, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 589 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Hartnell College is $3,459 for california associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Hartnell College Liberal Arts Report

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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