2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in California
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 for an Associate in California” ranking.
With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California” ranking, we looked at 58 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California
The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in California
Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Pasadena City College landed the #1 spot on the list. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,658 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Pasadena City College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $2,920 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
Full Pasadena City College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #2 spot on the list. Woodland Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,722 students in 2019-2020.
Pierce College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Pierce College is $9,875 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Los Angeles Pierce College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Golden West College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 2,145 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Golden West College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,862 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Golden West College.
Full Golden West College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, El Camino College landed the #4 spot on the list. Torrance, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,006 students in 2019-2020.
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 / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for El Camino College is $9,434 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at El Camino College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Barbara City College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California. This fairly large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 1,027 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SBCC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,556 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend SBCC.
Full Santa Barbara City College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. Located in Wilmington, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,078 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
LAHC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,334 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Los Angeles Harbor College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Harbor College
Grossmont College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #7. Grossmont College is a public institution located in El Cajon, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 786 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Grossmont College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Grossmont College is $2,897 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
Full Grossmont College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
City College of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #8. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large public school awarded 180 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
City College of San Francisco not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $3,267 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend City College of San Francisco.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City College of San Francisco
Palomar College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in San Marcos, California, this large public school handed out 283 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students 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 / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,673 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Palomar College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Palomar College
Riverside City College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. Riverside City College is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 1,906 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Riverside City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $4,620 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College
Santa Ana College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 1,066 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
SAC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend SAC is $3,801 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SAC
Compton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #12. Compton College is a public institution located in Compton, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 170 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Compton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,215 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Compton College.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Compton College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Orange Coast College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 481 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Orange Coast College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Orange Coast College is $3,178 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Orange Coast College
Moreno Valley College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. Located in Moreno Valley, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,057 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
Moreno Valley College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moreno Valley College is $4,633 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moreno Valley College
Ventura College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 929 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Ventura College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,514 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend Ventura College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ventura College
Chabot College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 408 students 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 / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chabot College is $4,192 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Chabot College
Evergreen Valley College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. Evergreen Valley College is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Evergreen Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Evergreen Valley College is $10,701 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Evergreen Valley College
Brandman University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 135 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brandman, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brandman University is $21,604 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Norco College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #19. Norco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 897 students in 2019-2020.
Norco College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Norco College is $5,099 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Norco College
Los Angeles Southwest College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 548 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Los Angeles Southwest College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,548 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend Los Angeles Southwest College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Los Angeles Southwest College
East Los Angeles College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #21. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 158 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
East Los Angeles College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $9,570 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend East Los Angeles College.
Full East Los Angeles College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
College of the Sequoias came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking. College of the Sequoias is a public institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 909 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $1,116 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of the Sequoias
West Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California ranking, coming in at #23. West Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Saratoga, California that handed out 232 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
West Valley College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $3,791 for california associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
Full West Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
With a ranking of #24, Saddleback College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. Located in Mission Viejo, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1,086 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $4,246 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.
Full Saddleback College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Rio Hondo College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in California list. Whittier, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 555 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,487 for California Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend RHCCD.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at RHCCD
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
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