2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 307 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
A rank of #4 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,142. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Santiago Canyon College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,015. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $18,208. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,191. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Saddleback College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $18,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Norco College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,453. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,588. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Valley College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,161. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,171. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,014 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,950. Set against $7,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
Narrow Liberal Arts General Studies Schools by State
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 307 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 150 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
