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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

55 Ranked Colleges
48,396 Degrees Awarded
$22,027 Avg Salary
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 112,019 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,678 and $19,082 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 48,396 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies 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 general studies 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

The liberal arts 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pasadena City College landed the #1 spot on the list. Pasadena City College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 2,658 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Pasadena City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $6,024 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Pasadena City College

#2

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school awarded 2,145 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Golden West College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $6,285 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Golden West College

#3

Chabot College

Hayward, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chabot College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chabot College is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 408 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chabot College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,695 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chabot College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Chabot College

#4

Ventura College

Ventura, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school awarded 929 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Ventura College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $4,138 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ventura College

#5

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Ana College landed the #5 spot on the list. SAC is located in Santa Ana, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,066 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

SAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Santa Ana College

#6

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 909 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,160 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of the Sequoias

#7

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California

Grossmont College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. El Cajon, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 786 students in 2019-2020.

Grossmont College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Grossmont College is $5,815 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Grossmont College

#8

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 283 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Palomar College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,271 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Palomar College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Palomar College

#9

Riverside City College

Riverside, California

Riverside City College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 1,906 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Riverside City College

#10

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Moreno Valley, California, and it awarded 1,057 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k list, Moreno Valley College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#11

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #11, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 481 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Orange Coast College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,303 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Orange Coast College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Orange Coast College

#12

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 298 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cerritos College is $5,664 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Cerritos College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#13

West Valley College

Saratoga, California

With a ranking of #13, West Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. West Valley College is a public institution located in Saratoga, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 232 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

West Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $6,280 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at West Valley College

#14

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

With a ranking of #14, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,027 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

SBCC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SBCC is $10,386 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SBCC

#15

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California

MiraCosta College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oceanside, California, and it awarded 755 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MiraCosta College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,192 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MiraCosta College.

Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Norco College

Norco, California

Norco College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Norco College is a fairly large school located in Norco, California that handed out 897 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Norco College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Full Norco College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

City College of San Francisco came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. City College of San Francisco is a fairly large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 180 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

City College of San Francisco not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend City College of San Francisco is $5,832 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City College of San Francisco

#18

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California

With a ranking of #18, Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Woodland Hills, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,722 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pierce College, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pierce College is $12,545 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pierce College

#19

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

With a ranking of #19, Rio Hondo College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 555 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,364 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Rio Hondo College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Rio Hondo College

#20

Yuba College

Marysville, California

Yuba College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Yuba College is a medium-sized school located in Marysville, California that handed out 34 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Yuba College is $6,051 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Yuba College

#21

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Mission Viejo, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,086 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,424 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saddleback College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Saddleback College

#22

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 516 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos is $7,788 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Medanos College

#23

Imperial Valley College

Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. IVC is located in Imperial, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 378 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for IVC is $4,294 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Imperial Valley College

#24

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, California

Mt. San Jacinto College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. MSJC is a fairly large public school situated in San Jacinto, California. It awarded 908 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSJC is $7,694 for california associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Mt. San Jacinto College

#25

El Camino College

Torrance, California

El Camino College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. El Camino College is located in Torrance, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,006 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at El Camino College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for El Camino College is $12,534 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 El Camino College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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