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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

76 Ranked Colleges
95,240 Degrees Awarded
$6,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Getting Aid” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 76 colleges that offer 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in California (With Aid)

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Golden West College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school handed out 3,237 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Golden West College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $4,024 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Golden West College Liberal Arts Report

2
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cerritos College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Cerritos College is located in Norwalk, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,561 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Cerritos College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cerritos College is $2,310 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cerritos College

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california liberal studies students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Liberal Arts Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 148 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

CSUDH also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california liberal studies students with aid.

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 full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Dominguez Hills

5
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend MiraCosta College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. MiraCosta College is a fairly large public school situated in Oceanside, California. It awarded 1,732 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,995 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts Report

6
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

With a ranking of #6, Riverside City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 516 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students with aid list, Riverside City College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $6,593 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Riverside City College Liberal Arts Report

7

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 318 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 California State University - Northridge

8
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 1,796 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,590 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Ventura College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Ventura College

9
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

West Valley College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. West Valley College is located in Saratoga, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 678 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Valley College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,587 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at West Valley College

10
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Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Imperial Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Imperial, California that handed out 907 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,205 for california liberal studies students with aid per year to attend IVC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at IVC

11
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 2,218 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,503 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Orange Coast College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Orange Coast College

12

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 174 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for california liberal studies students with aid 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%.

Full Sac State Liberal Arts Report

13
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, California

With a ranking of #13, Norco College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Norco College is a medium-sized school located in Norco, California that handed out 259 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $6,077 for california liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Norco College

14
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

With a ranking of #14, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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.

It costs about $1,222 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Full College of the Sequoias Liberal Arts Report

15

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Stanislaus 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 $6,566 for california liberal studies students with aid per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

16
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Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Santa Ana, California, this large public school awarded 1,393 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SAC is $4,745 for california liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Santa Ana College

17
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 243 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,818 for california liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Moreno Valley College.

Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts Report

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 361 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,454 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Read more about Liberal Arts at CSUB

19
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #19, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 241 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for california liberal studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Liberal Arts Report

20
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles City College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles City College is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,106 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Los Angeles City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles City College is $9,768 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Los Angeles City College Liberal Arts Report

21

California State University - Fresno came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 534 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $6,230 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Fresno State

22
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Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Valley Glen, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,549 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

LAVC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Valley College is $10,194 for california liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at LAVC

23
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,103 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Southwest College is $9,909 for California Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Southwest College

24
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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, California, and it awarded 843 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,154 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Los Medanos College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Medanos

25
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Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

With a ranking of #25, Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles Harbor College is a medium-sized school located in Wilmington, California that handed out 1,691 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

LAHC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,607 for California Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend LAHC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LAHC

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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