2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 112,019 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,678 and $19,082 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 48,396 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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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 Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,658 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pasadena City College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,968 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pasadena City College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Pasadena City College
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 Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Huntington Beach, California, and it awarded 2,145 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Golden West College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $2,962 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Golden West College
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ventura College landed the #3 spot on the list. Ventura College is a fairly large school located in Ventura, California that handed out 929 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ventura College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $978 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ventura College
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 Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Chabot College is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 408 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Chabot College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,559 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chabot College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Chabot College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grossmont College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 786 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Grossmont College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grossmont College is $2,899 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a ranking of #6, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Visalia, California, this fairly large public school awarded 909 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $923 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at College of the Sequoias
Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Ana, California, this large public school awarded 1,066 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
SAC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Palomar College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 283 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Palomar College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Palomar College is $3,367 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Palomar College
Riverside City College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,906 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Riverside City College
Cerritos College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cerritos College is located in Norwalk, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 298 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $3,988 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cerritos College.
Moreno Valley College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moreno Valley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,057 students in 2019-2020.
Moreno Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13.
Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Costa Mesa, California, and it awarded 481 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Orange Coast College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $3,002 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Orange Coast College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Orange Coast College
City College of San Francisco came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 180 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
City College of San Francisco not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for City College of San Francisco is $2,607 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full City College of San Francisco Liberal Arts General Studies Report
West Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saratoga, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 232 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
West Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $3,789 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at West Valley College
Santa Barbara City College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 1,027 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
SBCC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SBCC is $6,423 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Santa Barbara City College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
MiraCosta College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MiraCosta College is a fairly large school located in Oceanside, California that handed out 755 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
MiraCosta College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for MiraCosta College is $1,469 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MiraCosta College
With a ranking of #17, Norco College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norco College is located in Norco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 897 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Norco College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Yuba College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Yuba College is a medium-sized public school situated in Marysville, California. It awarded 34 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,860 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Yuba College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Yuba College
Imperial Valley College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Imperial Valley College is a public institution located in Imperial, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 378 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $843 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Imperial Valley College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Imperial Valley College
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Angeles Pierce College is a fairly large school located in Woodland Hills, California that handed out 1,722 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Pierce College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Pierce College is $9,474 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Pierce College
Rio Hondo College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rio Hondo College is a fairly large school located in Whittier, California that handed out 555 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for RHCCD is $5,553 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Saddleback College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saddleback College is a fairly large school located in Mission Viejo, California that handed out 1,086 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Saddleback College is $3,462 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Los Medanos College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 516 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Los Medanos College is $5,277 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Medanos College
Mt. San Jacinto College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Jacinto, California, this fairly large public school awarded 908 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,952 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSJC.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Mt. San Jacinto College
El Camino College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Torrance, California, this large public school handed out 1,006 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
El Camino College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend El Camino College is $9,693 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at El Camino College
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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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