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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#31 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $29,820
Average Debt $16,068
Program Size 301
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 301 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $29,820.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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#32 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $29,443
Average Debt $13,239
Program Size 384
San Diego State University (SDSU)
4 Year
San Diego, CA
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San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, CA has 384 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $29,443.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 8,923 students
Tuition $6,976
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#33 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $28,960
Average Debt $27,747
Program Size 133
California Baptist University (CBU)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, CA has 133 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $28,960.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,348 students
Tuition $30,384
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#34 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $27,418
Average Debt $14,921
Program Size 259
California State University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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California State University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 259 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $27,418.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 6,512 students
Tuition $6,355
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#35 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $27,181
Average Debt $19,172
Program Size 304
California State University-Dominguez Hills
4 Year
Carson, CA
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California State University-Dominguez Hills, located in Carson, CA has 304 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $27,181.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 3,807 students
Tuition $6,213
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#36 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $27,066
Average Debt $53,000
Program Size 27
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
4 Year
Stockton, CA
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses, located in Stockton, CA has 27 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $27,066.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 144 students
Tuition $13,212
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#37 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $26,933
Average Debt $21,434
Program Size 31
Providence Christian College
4 Year
Pasadena, CA
Providence Christian College, located in Pasadena, CA has 31 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $26,933.
Acceptance Rate 50%
Undergraduates 11 students
Tuition $27,173
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#38 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $26,669
Average Debt $16,403
Program Size 412
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
4 Year
Pomona, CA
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, located in Pomona, CA has 412 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $26,669.
Acceptance Rate 39%
Undergraduates 5,596 students
Tuition $7,016
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#39 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $26,458
Average Debt $17,933
Program Size 455
California State University-San Bernardino
4 Year
San Bernardino, CA
California State University-San Bernardino, located in San Bernardino, CA has 455 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $26,458.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 4,571 students
Tuition $6,577
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#40 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $26,248
Average Debt $16,573
Program Size 359
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 359 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $26,248.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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#41 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $25,967
Average Debt $20,500
Program Size 64
The Master's University and Seminary
4 Year
Santa Clarita, CA
The Master's University and Seminary, located in Santa Clarita, CA has 64 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $25,967.
Acceptance Rate 95%
Undergraduates 376 students
Tuition $30,920
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#42 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $25,194
Average Debt $17,349
Program Size 174
University of California-Riverside (UCR)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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University of California-Riverside (UCR), located in Riverside, CA has 174 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $25,194.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 5,454 students
Tuition $13,527
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#43 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $25,194
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 31
Dominican University of California
4 Year
San Rafael, CA
Dominican University of California, located in San Rafael, CA has 31 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $25,194.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 510 students
Tuition $42,550
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#44 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $24,615
Average Debt $16,585
Program Size 251
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF)
4 Year
Fullerton, CA
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California State University-Fullerton (CSUF), located in Fullerton, CA has 251 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $24,615.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 10,530 students
Tuition $6,437
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#45 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $24,512
Average Debt $18,163
Program Size 221
Humboldt State University
4 Year
Arcata, CA
Humboldt State University, located in Arcata, CA has 221 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $24,512.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,017 students
Tuition $7,195
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Other Major Rankings
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