2025 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California

1

Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Mary's College of California is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. SMC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Moraga. A Best Colleges rank of #148 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SMC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 79 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who get their degree from Saint Mary's College of California earn $24,532 more than the standard liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduate.

2

California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University - Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #267 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Sac State is a great university overall.

There were about 170 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program earn an average of $30,286 for their early career.

3

Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA

It is hard to beat Thomas Aquinas College if you want to pursue a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. TAC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Santa Paula. A Best Colleges rank of #140 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means TAC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 115 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at TAC in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make around $33,432 for their early career.

4

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

Every student pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities needs to take a look at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #165 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a great university overall.

There were approximately 107 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities major at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo make $3,494 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

5

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Located in the large city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #146 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Irvine Valley College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 3458 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Irvine Valley College in the most recent data year.

6

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

SDSU is a fairly large public university located in the large city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 239 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients typically make about $23,190 in the first five years of their career.

7

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

MJC is a fairly large public college located in the midsize city of Modesto. A Best Colleges rank of #230 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means MJC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 550 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at MJC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report average early career income of $27,927.

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

SFSU is a fairly large public university located in the city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were about 103 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year. After graduating, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients generally make around $32,112 at the beginning of their careers.

9

California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA

Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 48th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 302 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients usually earn about $33,353 in their early careers.

10

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Azusa. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Azusa Pacific is a great university overall.

There were about 81 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University get an earnings boost of approximately $3,632 above the typical income of liberal arts / sciences & humanities majors.

11

California State University - Chico
Chico, CA

Located in the midsize city of Chico, Chico State is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 64th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 216 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Chico State in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,196.

12

California State University - Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

CSUMB is a medium-sized public university located in the suburb of Seaside. This university ranks 72nd out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 242 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at CSUMB in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make around $30,413 for their early career.

13

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Located in the city of Orange, SCC is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 49th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 1464 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at SCC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make an average of $33,437 in their early career salary.

14

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 52nd out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 5334 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent year we have data available.

15

California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

CSULB is a very large public university located in the large city of Long Beach. A Best Colleges rank of #246 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.

There were roughly 279 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program earn an average of $31,802 in their early career salary.