College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

42 Colleges in California
6,052 Bachelor's Degrees
$29,044 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #13 in popularity, liberal arts general studies is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 42 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of liberal arts general studies. Combined, these schools handed out 6,052 bachelor's degrees in liberal arts general studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Your choice of liberal arts general studies for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts general studies students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.


 

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Liberal Arts General Studies in California

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for liberal arts general studies students seeking a a bachelor's degree.

10 Top California Schools for a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts

1
60 Annual Graduates
$41,425 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies needs to check out Saint Mary's College of California. Located in the suburb of Moraga, SMC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Saint Mary's College of California get an earnings boost of about $12,381 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Saint Mary’s College of California

2
237 Annual Graduates
$25,662 Median Starting Salary
$12,496 Median Student Debt

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies has to take a look at San Diego State University. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $25,662 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from San Diego State University

3

Loyola Marymount University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University receive an earnings boost of around $15,867 over the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Loyola Marymount University

4
123 Annual Graduates
$38,741 Median Starting Salary
$17,500 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts general studies. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public university located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo receive $9,697 more than the average liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

5
318 Annual Graduates
$29,216 Median Starting Salary
$15,000 Median Student Debt

CSUN is a very large public university located in the city of Northridge.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make an average of $29,216 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California State University - Northridge

6
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
28 Annual Graduates
$35,426 Median Student Debt

National University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego.More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from National University

7
111 Annual Graduates
$34,650 Median Starting Salary
$15,467 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University earn $5,606 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from San Francisco State University

8
191 Annual Graduates
$23,971 Median Starting Salary
$15,000 Median Student Debt

Sac State is a very large public university located in the city of Sacramento.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the liberal arts program report average early career income of $23,971.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California State University - Sacramento

9
166 Annual Graduates
$29,423 Median Starting Salary
$15,453 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Carson, CSUDH is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduation, liberal arts bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $29,423 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from California State University - Dominguez Hills

10
165 Annual Graduates
$44,893 Median Starting Salary
$27,608 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a public university with a medium-sized student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Brandman University receive $15,849 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies from Brandman University

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 226 893
Oregon 185 318
Nevada 129 52
Hawaii 112 82
Alaska 75 3

View All Rankings >

One of 0 majors within the Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities area of study, Liberal Arts General Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Liberal Arts Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 5,636
Humanities 285
Individualized Studies 75
General Studies 56

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options