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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

71 Ranked Colleges
95,240 Degrees Awarded
$6,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 95,240 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 71 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

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The liberal studies 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 Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Golden West College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,237 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden West College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $4,414 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Golden West College

2
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Ventura College
Ventura, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1,796 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,269 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ventura College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Ventura College

3

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 $30-$48k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 145 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,701 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Liberal Arts Report

4
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MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

Out of the 71 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, MiraCosta College landed the #4 spot on the list. MiraCosta College is a public institution located in Oceanside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,732 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,861 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MiraCosta College

5
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West Valley College
Saratoga, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Valley College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. West Valley College is located in Saratoga, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 678 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, West Valley College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,654 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts Report

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 148 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,329 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUDH.

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 more about Liberal Arts at CSUDH

7
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Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #7, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Orange Coast College is a public institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,218 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Orange Coast College is $4,748 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Orange Coast College Liberal Arts Report

8
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Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

Cerritos College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Cerritos College is located in Norwalk, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,561 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cerritos College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cerritos College is $2,179 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cerritos College Liberal Arts Report

9
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Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Imperial, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 907 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,790 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Imperial Valley College.

Full Imperial Valley College Liberal Arts Report

10

California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 318 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

CSUN also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $7,103 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 full report on Liberal Arts at CSUN

11

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 226 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Stanislaus

12
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

With a ranking of #12, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $1,289 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of the Sequoias

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 174 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Sac State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,055 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State Liberal Arts Report

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 $6,046 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUB.

Read more about Liberal Arts at CSUB

15

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 534 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $4,655 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at California State University - Fresno

16
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San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 241 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at SDSU

17
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,103 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,903 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Los Angeles Southwest College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Los Angeles Southwest College

18
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles City College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles City College is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,106 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Los Angeles City College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles City College is $9,811 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Los Angeles City College

19
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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Medanos is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, California. It awarded 843 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Los Medanos College is $6,077 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Los Medanos College

20
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 307 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $5,543 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at San Diego Mesa College

21
Soka University crest
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, California

Soka University of America landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Soka University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aliso Viejo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Soka University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,095 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Soka University of America.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Soka University

22
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

Chaffey College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chaffey College is a fairly large school located in Rancho Cucamonga, California that handed out 923 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Chaffey College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chaffey College is $11,083 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Chaffey College

23
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California

Cuesta College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 2,332 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cuesta College is $10,288 for california liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cuesta College Liberal Arts Report

24
Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, California

Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Pierce College is a fairly large school located in Woodland Hills, California that handed out 1,804 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Pierce College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Pierce College is $11,956 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Pierce College Liberal Arts Report

25

California State University - Long Beach ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 293 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for California Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at CSULB

Notes and References

References

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