2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 55 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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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 for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
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Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $48-$75k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pasadena City College is a large school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 2,658 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 $48-$75k list, Pasadena City College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pasadena City College is $6,024 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Pasadena City College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #2 spot on the list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,145 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
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 $6,285 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Golden West College.
Full Golden West College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Chabot College landed the #3 spot on the list. Chabot College is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 408 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Chabot College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chabot College is $6,695 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ventura College landed the #4 spot on the 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $4,138 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ventura College
Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Ana College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Santa Ana, California, this large public school handed out 1,066 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
SAC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Santa Ana 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 $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 909 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,160 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of the Sequoias
Grossmont College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in El Cajon, California, and it awarded 786 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 $48-$75k list, Grossmont College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grossmont College is $5,815 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Grossmont College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Palomar College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. 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.
Palomar College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,271 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Palomar College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Palomar College
Riverside City College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,906 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College
Moreno Valley College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Moreno Valley, California that handed out 1,057 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 $48-$75k list, Moreno Valley College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moreno Valley College
With a ranking of #11, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Costa Mesa, California, and it awarded 481 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
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 $6,303 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Orange Coast College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Orange Coast College
Cerritos College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 298 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,664 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cerritos College.
Full Cerritos College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
West Valley College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saratoga, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 232 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Valley College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $6,280 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full West Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Santa Barbara City College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,027 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
SBCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Barbara City College is $10,386 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Santa Barbara City College
MiraCosta College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oceanside, 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 755 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MiraCosta College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MiraCosta College is $4,192 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Norco College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Norco College
City College of San Francisco ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. City College of San Francisco is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 180 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k list, City College of San Francisco has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,832 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend City College of San Francisco.
Full City College of San Francisco Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Los Angeles Pierce College is a fairly large school located in Woodland Hills, California that handed out 1,722 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Pierce College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,545 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Los Angeles Pierce College.
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%.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Pierce College
Rio Hondo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 555 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for RHCCD is $7,364 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Rio Hondo College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Yuba College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Yuba College is a medium-sized school located in Marysville, California that handed out 34 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $6,051 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Yuba College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Yuba College
Saddleback College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school situated in Mission Viejo, California. It awarded 1,086 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $6,424 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Saddleback College
Los Medanos College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Medanos is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, California that handed out 516 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos College is $7,788 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Los Medanos Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Imperial Valley College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Imperial Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Imperial, California. It awarded 378 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for IVC is $4,294 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a ranking of #24, Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSJC is located in San Jacinto, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 908 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for MSJC is $7,694 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Mt. San Jacinto College
El Camino College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. El Camino College is located in Torrance, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,006 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
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. The yearly cost to attend El Camino College is $12,534 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 El Camino College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
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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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