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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

73 Ranked Colleges
112,228 Degrees Awarded
$4,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 112,228 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,456 and $14,718 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 73 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in California

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Golden West College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school awarded 4,346 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $3,094 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Golden West College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

2
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Valley College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saratoga, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 678 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

West Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $2,924 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

3

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $1,887 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Los Angeles

4
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,949 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $321 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ventura College.

Full Ventura College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

5
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend MiraCosta College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Oceanside, California, and it awarded 1,875 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,304 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MiraCosta College

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUDH has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,657 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUDH.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at CSUDH

7

California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 336 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at CSUN

8
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

Riverside City College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1,871 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,737 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Riverside City College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College

9
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #9, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Orange Coast College is located in Costa Mesa, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,218 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Orange Coast College is $3,681 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Orange Coast College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

10
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 246 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $7,169 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SDSU

11
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

Cerritos College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cerritos College is located in Norwalk, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,647 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cerritos College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cerritos College is $1,419 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cerritos College

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 226 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $4,122 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Stan State

13

California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

14
IVC crest
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Imperial, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,043 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Imperial Valley College is $1,749 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Imperial Valley College

15
SAC crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

With a ranking of #15, Santa Ana College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Ana, California, this large public school handed out 2,071 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Santa Ana College is $3,975 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Santa Ana College

16
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 708 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $501 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of the Sequoias

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 361 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $5,238 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

18
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, California

Norco College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Norco, California, and it awarded 1,056 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Norco College has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $5,265 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Norco College

19
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

With a ranking of #19, Moreno Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Moreno Valley, California that handed out 915 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,761 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moreno Valley College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moreno Valley College

20
Los Medanos crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Los Medanos College is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, California that handed out 1,003 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos is $5,613 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Los Medanos Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

21

California State University - Fresno came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 534 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Fresno

22
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles City College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,232 students in 2020-2021.

Los Angeles City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,606 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Los Angeles City College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles City College

23

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUMB is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUMB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $9,192 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at CSUMB

24
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles Southwest College is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Southwest College is $9,596 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Southwest College

25
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

Chaffey College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and it awarded 2,083 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Chaffey College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,310 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chaffey College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Chaffey College

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