2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in California
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 112,019 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,678 and $19,082 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 48,396 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
The liberal arts / sciences & humanities school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in California
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pasadena City College landed the #1 spot on the list. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,658 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pasadena City College, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pasadena City College is $2,968 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Pasadena City College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Golden West College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Golden West College is a fairly large school located in Huntington Beach, California that handed out 2,145 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Golden West College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,962 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Golden West College.
Full Golden West College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ventura College is a fairly large school located in Ventura, California that handed out 929 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Ventura College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $978 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Ventura College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chabot College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 408 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Chabot College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $4,559 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chabot College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Chabot College
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grossmont College landed the #5 spot on the list. El Cajon, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 786 students in 2019-2020.
Grossmont College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,899 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grossmont College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Grossmont College
College of the Sequoias came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 909 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $923 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of the Sequoias
Santa Ana College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Ana College is located in Santa Ana, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,066 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
SAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list.
Palomar College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 283 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Palomar College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Palomar College is $3,367 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Palomar College
Riverside City College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 1,906 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
Riverside City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College
Cerritos College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norwalk, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 298 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,988 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cerritos College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cerritos College
Moreno Valley College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Moreno Valley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,057 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moreno Valley College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Orange Coast College is located in Costa Mesa, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 481 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Orange Coast College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,002 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Orange Coast College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Orange Coast College
City College of San Francisco came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City College of San Francisco is a fairly large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 180 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
City College of San Francisco did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for City College of San Francisco is $2,607 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City College of San Francisco
West Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saratoga, California, and it awarded 232 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, West Valley College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,789 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at West Valley College
Santa Barbara City College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1,027 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
SBCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Santa Barbara City College is $6,423 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
MiraCosta College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 755 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
MiraCosta College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MiraCosta College is $1,469 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MiraCosta College
With a ranking of #17, Norco College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Norco, California, and it awarded 897 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Norco College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16.
Full Norco College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
With a ranking of #18, Yuba College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Yuba College is $3,860 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Yuba College
Imperial Valley College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IVC is a public institution located in Imperial, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 378 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $843 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Imperial Valley College.
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,722 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pierce College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pierce College is $9,474 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Pierce College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
With a ranking of #21, Rio Hondo College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. RHCCD is a public institution located in Whittier, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 555 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,553 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rio Hondo College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Rio Hondo College
Saddleback College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saddleback College is located in Mission Viejo, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,086 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Saddleback College is $3,462 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Saddleback College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Los Medanos College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, California, and it awarded 516 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,277 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Los Medanos.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Medanos College
Mt. San Jacinto College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mt. San Jacinto College is a fairly large school located in San Jacinto, California that handed out 908 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Mt. San Jacinto College is $4,952 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Mt. San Jacinto College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
El Camino College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Torrance, California, this large public school awarded 1,006 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at El Camino College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,693 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend El Camino College.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at El Camino College
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
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