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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

70 Ranked Colleges
95,240 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 95,240 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 70 colleges that offered 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Golden West College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,237 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $6,739 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Golden West College Liberal Arts Report

2
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West Valley College
Saratoga, California

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Valley College landed the #2 spot on the list. West Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Saratoga, California that handed out 678 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

West Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $5,713 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at West Valley College

3
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Ventura College
Ventura, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,796 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $4,076 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Ventura College

4
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MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend MiraCosta College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oceanside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,732 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,184 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MiraCosta College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at MiraCosta College

5
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Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cerritos College landed the #5 spot on the list. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 1,561 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cerritos College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,670 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cerritos College

6

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 145 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 full report on Liberal Arts at Cal State LA

7

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 148 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUDH also took the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,333 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at CSUDH

8
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Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Orange Coast College is located in Costa Mesa, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,218 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Orange Coast College is $7,142 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Orange Coast College

9
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

With a ranking of #9, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large school located in Visalia, California that handed out 658 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $3,386 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of the Sequoias

10

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 318 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $10,780 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUN.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Northridge

11
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Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Imperial, California, and it awarded 907 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,004 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IVC.

Full IVC Liberal Arts Report

12

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 226 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,976 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Stan State

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Sac State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,602 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Sac State

14
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small public school handed out 1,103 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Southwest College is $12,250 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Southwest College

15
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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Los Medanos College is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, California. It awarded 843 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Los Medanos is $8,320 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Los Medanos Liberal Arts Report

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 361 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $9,102 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full CSUB Liberal Arts Report

17
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San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 241 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,698 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at San Diego State University

18

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 534 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,030 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fresno State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Fresno

19
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Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #19, Los Angeles City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,106 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Los Angeles City College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles City College is $11,032 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles City College

20
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Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles Valley College is located in Valley Glen, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,549 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, LAVC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Valley College is $12,060 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Valley College

21
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Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

Chaffey College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chaffey College is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 923 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Chaffey College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $13,101 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chaffey College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Chaffey College

22
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Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Wilmington, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,691 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

LAHC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Harbor College is $13,802 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at LAHC

23
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San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 307 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $8,272 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full San Diego Mesa College Liberal Arts Report

24
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Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, California

Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Los Angeles Pierce College is a public institution located in Woodland Hills, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,804 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pierce College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Pierce College is $14,417 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pierce College

25
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California

Cuesta College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 2,332 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cuesta College is $13,636 for california liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cuesta College

Notes and References

References

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