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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

58 Ranked Colleges
48,396 Degrees Awarded
$4,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 58 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.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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 for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in California (With Aid)

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, 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 Getting Aid list. Pasadena City College is a large school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 2,658 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Pasadena City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $2,920 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Pasadena City College

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid. Golden West College is a fairly large school located in Huntington Beach, California that handed out 2,145 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $2,862 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Golden West College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

Chabot College

Hayward, California

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Chabot College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 408 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chabot College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chabot College is $4,192 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Chabot College

#4

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grossmont College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid. 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.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students with aid list, Grossmont College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grossmont College is $2,897 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Grossmont College

#5

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of the Sequoias landed the #5 spot on the list. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large school located in Visalia, California that handed out 909 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $1,116 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full College of the Sequoias Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#6

Ventura College

Ventura, California

Ventura College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school awarded 929 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Ventura College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,514 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Ventura College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ventura College

#7

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 1,066 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students with aid list, SAC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SAC is $3,801 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full SAC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

Riverside City College

Riverside, California

Riverside City College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid 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.

Riverside City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $4,620 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Riverside City College

#9

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Palomar College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,673 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Palomar College.

Full Palomar College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#10

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #10, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Orange Coast College is a public institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 481 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Orange Coast College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Orange Coast College is $3,178 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Orange Coast College

#11

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Moreno Valley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,057 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Moreno Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $4,633 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Moreno Valley College

#12

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 298 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,022 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cerritos College

#13

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

City College of San Francisco landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. City College of San Francisco is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 180 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

City College of San Francisco did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 $3,267 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full City College of San Francisco Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#14

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California

With a ranking of #14, Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,722 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Pierce College also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,875 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Los Angeles Pierce College.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Pierce College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#15

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California

MiraCosta College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Oceanside, California, this fairly large public school handed out 755 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

MiraCosta College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $1,682 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MiraCosta College

#16

Norco College

Norco, California

Norco College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Norco, California, this fairly large public school awarded 897 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Norco College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $5,099 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Norco College

#17

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara City College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Santa Barbara City College is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,027 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students with aid list, SBCC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,556 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Santa Barbara City College.

Full SBCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#18

West Valley College

Saratoga, California

West Valley College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Saratoga, California, and it awarded 232 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Valley College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,791 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#19

Imperial Valley College

Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Imperial Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Imperial, California. It awarded 378 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,111 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend IVC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Imperial Valley College

#20

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. RHCCD is located in Whittier, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 555 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,487 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend RHCCD.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at RHCCD

#21

Yuba College

Marysville, California

Yuba College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Marysville, California, and it awarded 34 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Yuba College is $3,555 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Yuba College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#22

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school situated in Mission Viejo, California. It awarded 1,086 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $4,246 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Saddleback College

#23

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Los Medanos 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 estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos is $5,162 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full Los Medanos College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24

El Camino College

Torrance, California

El Camino College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Torrance, California, and it awarded 1,006 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

El Camino College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend El Camino College is $9,434 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full El Camino College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#25

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, California

With a ranking of #25, Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles Harbor College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wilmington, California. It awarded 1,078 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

LAHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend LAHC is $9,334 for california associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Harbor 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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