2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 195 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $33,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Moorpark College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $18,208. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
West Valley College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $26,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $18,207. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,176. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Reedley College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,434. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
