2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California
[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.
College Factual analyzed 195 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California
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 California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $31,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
A rank of #4 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #6 position 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,856. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Moorpark College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,075. 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.
Ventura College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. 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.
Cerritos College earned the #14 position 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, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,208. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Golden West College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
West Valley College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,308. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $18,207. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Imperial Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. 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 $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
San Diego City College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,434. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $29,039. That is a strong return on a $8,434 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
