by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 94 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 51,780 associate degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The liberal studies associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for liberal arts students working on their associate degree.
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 Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Irvine Valley College is a good decision for students pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Irvine.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Irvine Valley College
Modesto Junior College is a wonderful choice for students interested in an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the midsize city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Modesto Junior College
Any student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts has to take a look at Portland Community College. Portland Community College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Portland.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Portland Community College
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in liberal arts has to check out Santiago Canyon College. SCC is a large public college located in the city of Orange.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Santiago Canyon College
Golden West College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Huntington Beach.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Golden West College
Saddleback College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Mission Viejo.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Saddleback College
Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Cerritos College
Located in the large city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from College of Southern Nevada
Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the large city of Riverside.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Riverside City College
West Valley College is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of Saratoga.More information about a associate in liberal arts from West Valley College
Located in the city of Bellevue, BC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Bellevue College
IVC is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Imperial.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Imperial Valley College
Pierce College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Woodland Hills.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Los Angeles Pierce College
Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Chemeketa Community College
Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Ventura College
Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Shasta College
Los Angeles City College is a large public college located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Los Angeles City College
Located in the city of Palm Desert, College of the Desert is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from College of the Desert
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA |
| 20 | Merced College | Merced, CA |
| 21 | Mt. Hood Community College | Gresham, OR |
| 22 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen, CA |
| 23 | Highline College | Des Moines, WA |
| 24 | Lane Community College | Eugene, OR |
| 25 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
| 26 | Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom | Lakewood, WA |
| 27 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| 28 | Spokane Community College | Spokane, WA |
| 29 | San Jose City College | San Jose, CA |
| 30 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
| 31 | Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA |
Explore the best liberal arts colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 405 | 30,793 |
| Washington | 288 | 16,452 |
| Oregon | 260 | 5,176 |
| Nevada | 185 | 1,257 |
| Hawaii | 79 | 1,835 |
| Alaska | 71 | 402 |
One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, Liberal Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Humanities | 13,954 |
| General Studies | 3,039 |
| Individualized Studies | 255 |
