2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
75
Ranked Colleges
95,240
Degrees Awarded
$4,800
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 366,996 degrees were awarded to students with this major.
Across California, there were 95,240 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 75 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school handed out 3,237 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
Golden West College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $3,094 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Golden West College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Valley College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saratoga, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 678 students in 2020-2021.
West Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $2,924 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full West Valley College Liberal Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $1,887 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Liberal Arts Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies 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 1,796 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $321 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ventura College.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Ventura College
Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 148 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUDH has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $2,657 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at CSUDH
MiraCosta College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Oceanside, California, and it awarded 1,732 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,304 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at MiraCosta College
California State University - Northridge ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 318 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for California Liberal Studies 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%.
Full CSUN Liberal Arts Report
Riverside City College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 516 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Riverside City College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Riverside City College is $5,737 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Riverside City College Liberal Arts Report
Orange Coast College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 2,218 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Orange Coast College is $3,681 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Orange Coast College
San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 241 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,169 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Liberal Arts at SDSU
Cerritos College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,561 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cerritos College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,419 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cerritos College
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 226 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for california liberal studies 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Stan State
California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Sac State Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #14, Imperial Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Imperial, California, and it awarded 907 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for IVC is $1,749 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Imperial Valley College
Santa Ana College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Santa Ana, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,393 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,975 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Santa Ana College.
Full Santa Ana College Liberal Arts Report
College of the Sequoias landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 658 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $501 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.
Read more about Liberal Arts at College of the Sequoias
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 361 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,238 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Bakersfield
Norco College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Norco College is a medium-sized public school situated in Norco, California. It awarded 259 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $5,265 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Norco College Liberal Arts Report
Moreno Valley College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Moreno Valley, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 243 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $4,761 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #20, Los Medanos College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Medanos College is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, California. It awarded 843 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos College is $5,613 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Medanos
California State University - Fresno ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 534 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Fresno
Los Angeles City College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles City College is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Los Angeles City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles City College is $9,606 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles City College
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 112 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUMB is $9,192 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts at CSUMB
Los Angeles Southwest College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,103 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Southwest College is $9,596 for california liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Southwest College
Chaffey College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Rancho Cucamonga, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 923 students in 2020-2021.
Chaffey College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Chaffey College is $10,310 for california liberal studies 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%.
Full Chaffey College Liberal Arts Report
