Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 195 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in California
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 is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. 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. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 100 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $35,056. 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. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $68,281 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree.
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San Diego State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,496 to complete this degree.
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Sonoma State University placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 102 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $39,758. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
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California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $24,706 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,535 in student loans.
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San Jose State University came in at #8 for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 53 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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California State University Long Beach landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. 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. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $31,802 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Riverside placed #11 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 83 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $23,203. Typical student debt for the program is $16,436.
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Saint Marys College Of California landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Saint Marys College Of California earn around $56,094 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Westmont College earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 13 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Westmont College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $44,240. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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California State University Fresno placed #14 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 481 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,349 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,662.
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California State University Bakersfield landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. 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 #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 2,059 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $24,128 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,955.
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California State University Chico came in at #17 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $27,196. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Northridge came in at #18 for liberal arts general studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 267 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data 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 landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 269 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $24,979 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,295.
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California State University Sacramento ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 149 liberal arts general studies degrees 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 landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 139 liberal arts general studies degrees 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 placed #22 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Fresno Pacific University awarded about 136 liberal arts general studies degrees 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. Fresno Pacific University graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans.
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Irvine Valley College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 2,419 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Irvine Valley College in the most recent year. Irvine Valley College graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans.
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California State University Monterey Bay ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 238 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $30,413 early in their careers. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
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California State University East Bay ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 79 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,509 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,944.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies ranking:
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 · 195 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).
