Liberal Arts General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 307 schools to find the best for liberal arts general studies students.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Loyola Marymount University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 13 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $35,056 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at Seattle Pacific University, which ranked #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $52,713 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans.
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San Diego State University placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 273 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $23,190 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $12,496 in student loans.
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Sonoma State University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sonoma State University awarded about 102 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $39,758 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
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California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 154 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,706. Typical student debt for the program is $13,535.
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San Jose State University earned the #9 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 53 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 293 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,802 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
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Highline Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. About 393 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Highline Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,291 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,678.
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Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 1,688 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
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University Of California Riverside earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 83 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $23,203 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,436.
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Saint Marys College Of California landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $56,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Westmont College placed #15 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Westmont College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $44,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Fresno ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 481 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $25,349 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,662.
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Seattle Community College South Campus placed #17 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 202 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent data year.
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California State University Bakersfield placed #18 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 325 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent year.
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Orange Coast College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Orange Coast College awarded about 2,059 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $24,128. Students borrow a median of $6,955 to complete this degree.
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California State University Chico placed #20 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 203 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California State University Chico earn around $27,196 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
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California State University Northridge ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 267 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,941 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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California State University San Bernardino ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 269 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,979 early in their careers. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $14,295 in student loans.
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California State University Sacramento came in at #23 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 149 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,286. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #24 for liberal arts general studies this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 139 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $25,168 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
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Fresno Pacific University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 136 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,596.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts general studies education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 307 schools evaluated.
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).
