2024 Best Colleges for Liberal Arts in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Liberal Arts programs in California. We looked at 70 programs to put our Liberal Arts rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Liberal Arts in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Liberal Arts is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Liberal Arts: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Liberal Arts in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Liberal Arts undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Liberal Arts degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Liberal Arts Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

Pepperdine University (PU) is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Pepperdine University (PU) earned an average of $49,058 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

California State University-Monterey Bay is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,119 to attend California State University-Monterey Bay.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

Scripps College is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $49,152 to attend Scripps College.

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#16 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $33,993
Average Debt $22,750
Program Size 52
California Lutheran University (CLU)
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
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California Lutheran University (CLU), located in Thousand Oaks, CA has 52 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,993.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,282 students
Tuition $38,430
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#17 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $33,637
Average Debt $17,055
Program Size 644
California State University-Northridge
4 Year
Northridge, CA
California State University-Northridge, located in Northridge, CA has 644 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,637.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 10,247 students
Tuition $6,569
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#18 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $33,459
Average Debt $39,604
Program Size 2
Argosy University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Argosy University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 2 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,459.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 99 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#19 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $33,459
Average Debt $39,604
Program Size 2
Argosy University-San Diego
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Argosy University-San Diego, located in San Diego, CA has 2 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,459.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 93 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#20 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $33,459
Average Debt $39,604
Program Size 1
Argosy University-Inland Empire
4 Year
Ontario, CA
Argosy University-Inland Empire, located in Ontario, CA has 1 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $33,459.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 103 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#21 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $32,925
Average Debt $17,717
Program Size 361
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)
4 Year
Long Beach, CA
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California State University-Long Beach (CSULB), located in Long Beach, CA has 361 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $32,925.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 10,260 students
Tuition $6,452
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4.0
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#22 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $32,467
Average Debt $13,858
Program Size 491
California State University-Monterey Bay
4 Year
Seaside, CA
California State University-Monterey Bay, located in Seaside, CA has 491 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $32,467.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 1,895 students
Tuition $6,119
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4.0
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#23 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $32,284
Average Debt $16,645
Program Size 210
California State University-Channel Islands
4 Year
Camarillo, CA
California State University-Channel Islands, located in Camarillo, CA has 210 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $32,284.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,718 students
Tuition $6,547
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#24 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $31,763
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 83
Concordia University-Irvine
4 Year
Irvine, CA
Concordia University-Irvine, located in Irvine, CA has 83 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $31,763.
Acceptance Rate 59%
Undergraduates 1,802 students
Tuition $31,690
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4.0
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#25 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $31,314
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 62
Marymount California University
4 Year
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Marymount California University, located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA has 62 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $31,314.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 151 students
Tuition $34,680
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#26 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $30,988
Average Debt $25,264
Program Size 226
University of La Verne
4 Year
La Verne, CA
University of La Verne, located in La Verne, CA has 226 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $30,988.
Acceptance Rate 47%
Undergraduates 2,276 students
Tuition $38,560
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4.0
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#27 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $30,771
Average Debt $15,377
Program Size 379
California State University-Stanislaus
4 Year
Turlock, CA
California State University-Stanislaus, located in Turlock, CA has 379 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $30,771.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 2,334 students
Tuition $6,704
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4.0
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#28 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $30,554
Average Debt $18,093
Program Size 241
California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning
4 Year
San Marcos, CA
Video Rating
N/A
California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning, located in San Marcos, CA has 241 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $30,554.
Acceptance Rate 54%
Undergraduates 3,507 students
Tuition $7,269
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4.0
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#29 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $30,228
Average Debt $19,488
Program Size 185
Soka University of America
4 Year
Aliso Viejo, CA
Soka University of America, located in Aliso Viejo, CA has 185 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $30,228.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 108 students
Tuition $30,642
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4.0
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#30 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $30,047
Average Debt $18,000
Program Size 177
Thomas Aquinas College
4 Year
Santa Paula, CA
Thomas Aquinas College, located in Santa Paula, CA has 177 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $30,047.
Acceptance Rate 75%
Undergraduates 91 students
Tuition $24,500
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Other Major Rankings
Best Liberal Arts Programs by State
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