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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

74 Ranked Colleges
112,228 Degrees Awarded
$6,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 74 colleges that offer a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in California (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid. Golden West College is a fairly large school located in Huntington Beach, California that handed out 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. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $4,024 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Golden West College

2
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cerritos College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Norwalk, 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 1,647 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cerritos College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cerritos College is $2,310 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full Cerritos College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 145 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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%.

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

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 176 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees 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 $4,026 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Dominguez Hills

5
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend MiraCosta College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,875 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend MiraCosta College is $3,995 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

6
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

Riverside City College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 1,871 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,593 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Riverside City College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College

7

California State University - Northridge landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 336 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students 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. It costs about $8,523 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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 / Sciences & Humanities at CSUN

8
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

With a ranking of #8, Ventura College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Ventura College is a fairly large school located in Ventura, California that handed out 1,949 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $1,590 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

9
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

West Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. West Valley College is located in Saratoga, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 678 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, West Valley College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,587 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend West Valley College.

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

10
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Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

With a ranking of #10, Imperial Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. IVC 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 / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full IVC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

11
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #11, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,503 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Orange Coast College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Orange Coast College

12

California State University - Sacramento ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 194 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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%.

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

13
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, California

With a ranking of #13, Norco College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Norco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,056 students in 2020-2021.

Norco College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Norco College is $6,077 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

14
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $1,222 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

15

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 226 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

Full Stan State Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

16
SAC crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

With a ranking of #16, Santa Ana College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Ana, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 2,071 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,745 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Santa Ana College.

Full SAC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

17
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Moreno Valley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 915 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $5,818 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full Moreno Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

18

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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.

It costs about $7,454 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

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

19
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 246 students in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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 full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at San Diego State University

20
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles City College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Los Angeles City College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,768 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Los Angeles City College.

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

21

California State University - Fresno ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 534 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

22
LAVC crest
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. LAVC is located in Valley Glen, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,549 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LAVC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,194 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Los Angeles Valley College.

Full LAVC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

23
Los Angeles Southwest College crest
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Southwest College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,105 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,909 for California Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Los Angeles Southwest College.

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

24
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Los Medanos is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, California. It awarded 1,003 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Los Medanos College is $6,154 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

25
LAHC crest
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

Los Angeles Harbor College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. LAHC is a public institution located in Wilmington, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,072 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LAHC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Harbor College is $11,607 for california liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full LAHC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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