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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

74 Ranked Colleges
112,228 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Arts 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 112,228 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,456 and $14,718 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 74 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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 Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Huntington Beach, California, and it awarded 4,346 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden West College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $6,739 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Golden West College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Golden West College

2
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West Valley College
Saratoga, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Valley College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. West Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Saratoga, California that handed out 678 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

West Valley College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $5,713 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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 Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ventura, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,949 students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ventura College

4
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MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, MiraCosta College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Oceanside, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,875 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MiraCosta College is $6,184 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MiraCosta College

5
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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 #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Cerritos College is a fairly large school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 1,647 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cerritos College is $4,670 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Cerritos College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

6

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 145 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,700 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cal State LA

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $6,333 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 General Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills

8
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Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 2,218 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Orange Coast College

9
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 708 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $3,386 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full College of the Sequoias Liberal Arts General Studies Report

10

California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 336 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $10,780 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - Northridge Liberal Arts General Studies Report

11
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Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. IVC is located in Imperial, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,043 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Imperial Valley College is $5,004 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full IVC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

12

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 226 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

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

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Liberal Arts General Studies Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 194 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $12,602 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies 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 Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small public school handed out 1,105 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,250 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Los Angeles Southwest College.

Full Los Angeles Southwest College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

15
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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,003 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,320 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Los Medanos.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Medanos College

16

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 361 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $9,102 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Liberal Arts General Studies Report

17
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San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #17, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 246 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,698 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego State University.

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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at SDSU

18

California State University - Fresno ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 534 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

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

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Liberal Arts General Studies Report

19
Los Angeles City College crest
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 Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles City College is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,232 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Los Angeles City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles City College is $11,032 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles City College

20
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Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

Los Angeles Valley College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Los Angeles Valley College is a fairly large school located in Valley Glen, California that handed out 1,549 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LAVC

21
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Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

Chaffey College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chaffey College is a fairly large school located in Rancho Cucamonga, California that handed out 2,083 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Chaffey College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Chaffey College is $13,101 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Chaffey College

22
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Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

Los Angeles Harbor College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles Harbor College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wilmington, California. It awarded 2,072 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

LAHC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Harbor College is $13,802 for california liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at LAHC

23
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Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, California

Mt. San Jacinto College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Jacinto, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1,155 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Jacinto College is $8,096 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MSJC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

24
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 312 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at San Diego Mesa College

25
Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, California

Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Los Angeles Pierce College is a fairly large school located in Woodland Hills, California that handed out 1,981 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Pierce College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Pierce College is $14,417 for California Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Pierce College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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