2025 Best General Education Schools in California
25
Colleges in California
6,471
General Education Degrees Awarded
General Education is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #31 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 25 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best General Education Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,471 degrees in general education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great General Education School
The general education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Education rankings. For our Best Overall General Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your General Education Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best General Education Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for General Education in California
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top California Schools in General Education
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In CA
55
General Education Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in general education needs to look into Azusa Pacific University. Azusa Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Azusa. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Azusa Pacific is a great university overall.
There were roughly 55 general education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from Azusa Pacific University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In CA
251
General Education Degrees Awarded
It's difficult to beat University of California - Irvine if you wish to pursue a degree in general education. UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the city of Irvine. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.
There were approximately 251 general education students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Irvine
Masters
Degree Type
MEd in Curriculum & Instruction
Program Name
Enhance your career as a teacher or administrator or prepare to advance to a leadership position within your school with this specialized online MEd from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MEd in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CA
944
General Education Degrees Awarded
Any student who is interested in general education needs to check out National University. Located in the large city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #249 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means National University is a great university overall.
There were roughly 944 general education students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from National University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
30th
Most Popular In CA
65
General Education Degrees Awarded
Chapman University is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in general education. Chapman is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Orange. A Best Colleges rank of #172 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Chapman is a great university overall.
There were about 65 general education students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from Chapman University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
15th
Most Popular In CA
117
General Education Degrees Awarded
PLNU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #420 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means PLNU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 117 general education students who graduated with this degree at PLNU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from Point Loma Nazarene University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
20th
Most Popular In CA
65
General Education Degrees Awarded
Fresno State is a very large public university located in the large city of Fresno. This university ranks 81st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 65 general education students who graduated with this degree at Fresno State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from California State University - Fresno
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
12th
Most Popular In CA
245
General Education Degrees Awarded
SDSU is a very large public university located in the city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.
There were about 245 general education students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general education from San Diego State University
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Higher Education Administration
Program Name
Learn how strategic leadership, data-driven resource management and a culture centered on student success can enhance colleges and universities with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
11th
Most Popular In CA
122
General Education Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Riverside, UCR is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #219 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCR is a great university overall.
There were approximately 122 general education students who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Riverside
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In CA
215
General Education Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Riverside, Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 66th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 215 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cal Baptist in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from California Baptist University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In CA
239
General Education Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #271 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.
There were about 239 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general education from California State University - Fullerton
