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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

67 Ranked Colleges
112,228 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,456 and $14,718 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 67 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $48-$75k) 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Huntington Beach, California, and it awarded 4,346 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,739 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Golden West College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Golden West College

2
West Valley College crest
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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. West Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Saratoga, California. It awarded 678 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

West Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $5,713 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full West Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

3
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ventura College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1,949 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $4,076 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Ventura College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

4
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend MiraCosta College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Oceanside, California, and it awarded 1,875 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,184 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MiraCosta College.

Full MiraCosta College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

5
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cerritos College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cerritos College is located in Norwalk, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,647 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cerritos College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cerritos College is $4,670 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cerritos College

6

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,700 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Los Angeles

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.

CSUDH also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 / Sciences & Humanities at CSUDH

8
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #8, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 2,218 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Orange Coast College is $7,142 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Orange Coast College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

9
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 708 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $3,386 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of the Sequoias

10

California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 336 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $10,780 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - Northridge Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

11
IVC crest
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Imperial Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Imperial, California. It awarded 1,043 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,004 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IVC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Imperial Valley College

12

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 226 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $7,976 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 - Stanislaus Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

13

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,602 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

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 more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Sac State

14
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,105 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,250 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Los Angeles Southwest College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Southwest College

15
Los Medanos crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, California

Los Medanos College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Los Medanos 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 yearly cost to attend Los Medanos is $8,320 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Medanos

16

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 361 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $9,102 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Bakersfield

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 246 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $14,698 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SDSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SDSU

18

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 534 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,030 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full California State University - Fresno Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

19
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles City College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Los Angeles City College is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,232 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Los Angeles City College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles City College is $11,032 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Los Angeles City College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

20
LAVC crest
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

With a ranking of #20, Los Angeles Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. LAVC is a public institution located in Valley Glen, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,549 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LAVC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Valley College is $12,060 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at LAVC

21
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

Chaffey College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chaffey College is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,083 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chaffey College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,101 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chaffey College.

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 Chaffey College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

22
LAHC crest
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. LAHC is a medium-sized school located in Wilmington, California that handed out 2,072 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

LAHC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend LAHC is $13,802 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Harbor College

23
MSJC crest
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, California

Mt. San Jacinto College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Jacinto, California, and it awarded 1,155 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mt. San Jacinto College is $8,096 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MSJC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

24
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 312 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,272 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at San Diego Mesa College

25
Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, California

Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Pierce College is a fairly large school located in Woodland Hills, California that handed out 1,981 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pierce College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,417 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Los Angeles Pierce College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Pierce College

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