2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
81
Ranked Colleges
112,228
Degrees Awarded
$6,200
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
With 556,813 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 112,228 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,456 and $14,718 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 81 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in California For Those Getting Aid”.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for california liberal arts students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in California (With Aid)
Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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 awarded 4,346 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california liberal arts students with aid list, Golden West College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $4,024 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Full Golden West College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cerritos College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,647 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cerritos College is $2,310 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cerritos College
Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for california liberal arts students with aid 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%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 176 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california liberal arts students with aid.
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 General Studies at CSUDH
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend MiraCosta College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. MiraCosta College is a fairly large public school situated in Oceanside, California. It awarded 1,875 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,995 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Riverside City College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside City College is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 1,871 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Riverside City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,593 for California Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Riverside City College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Riverside City College
California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 336 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california liberal arts students with aid list, CSUN has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for california liberal arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUN Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Ventura College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,949 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $1,590 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Full Ventura College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
West Valley College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. West Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Saratoga, California. It awarded 678 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
West Valley College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Valley College is $3,587 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at West Valley College
Imperial Valley College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Imperial Valley College is a public institution located in Imperial, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,043 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for IVC is $2,205 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Full IVC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 2,218 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,503 for California Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Orange Coast College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Orange Coast College
California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 194 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for california liberal arts students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Sac State
Norco College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Norco College is a public institution located in Norco, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,056 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Norco College is $6,077 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Full Norco College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
College of the Sequoias came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. College of the Sequoias is a public institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 708 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $1,222 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of the Sequoias
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 226 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,566 for california liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Stan State.
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%.
Full California State University - Stanislaus Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Santa Ana College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 2,071 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,745 for California Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Santa Ana College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Santa Ana College
Moreno Valley College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Moreno Valley, California. It awarded 915 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $5,818 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Moreno Valley College
California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 361 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,454 for california liberal arts students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at CSUB
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 246 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for california liberal arts students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SDSU
With a ranking of #20, Los Angeles City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles City College is a fairly large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,232 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Los Angeles City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,768 for california liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Los Angeles City College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles City College
California State University - Fresno came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 534 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,230 for California Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 General Studies at California State University - Fresno
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles Valley College is a fairly large school located in Valley Glen, California that handed out 1,549 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
LAVC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LAVC is $10,194 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LAVC
Los Angeles Southwest College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,105 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Southwest College is $9,909 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Southwest College
With a ranking of #24, Los Medanos College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Medanos College is a public institution located in Pittsburg, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,003 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Los Medanos is $6,154 for california liberal arts students with aid.
Full Los Medanos College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. LAHC is a medium-sized public school situated in Wilmington, California. It awarded 2,072 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
LAHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for LAHC is $11,607 for California Liberal Arts students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Harbor College
