2026 Best General Education Schools in California

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 school for general education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 224 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $67,010 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. More information about a degree in general education from University Of California Los Angeles

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Sacramento one of the top schools for general education. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 151 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $77,526 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492. Get the full general education details for California State University Sacramento

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 137 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $85,162. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Stanford University

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of California Berkeley

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for California State University Fullerton

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for general education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,982 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in general education from California State University Long Beach

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best general education schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 125 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $91,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. See the full general education program report for University Of California San Diego

8

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #8 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 154 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $61,108 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Riverside

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #9 for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,724 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. See the full general education program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

10

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #10 for general education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 general education students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $61,550. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Point Loma Nazarene University

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #11 among the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bakersfield. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. California State University Bakersfield awarded about 121 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general education details for California State University Bakersfield

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best general education schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 250 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,106. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Irvine

13

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #13 among the best general education schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 91 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $59,285 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of California Davis

14

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne came in at #14 for general education this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 82 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $35,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Get the full general education details for University Of La Verne

15

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California placed #15 among the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 66 general education degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Saint Marys College Of California

16

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University earned the #16 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 general education degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $37,928 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,746 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Chapman University

17

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 70 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $68,117 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886. Read more about the general education program at California State University Dominguez Hills

18

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #18 position for general education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 53 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $73,028. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of San Diego

19

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 22 general education students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Sonoma State University earn around $80,657 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031. More information about a degree in general education from Sonoma State University

20

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #20 among the best general education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 176 general education degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from California Baptist University earn around $67,260 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169. See the full general education program report for California Baptist University

21

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #21 for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Northridge earn around $48,437 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. Get the full general education details for California State University Northridge

22

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University placed #22 among the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 88 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $78,963 in their early career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Azusa Pacific University

23

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #23 among the best general education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $62,201. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Read more about the general education program at University Of San Francisco

24

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University San Marcos earn around $77,823 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,527. More information about a degree in general education from California State University San Marcos

25

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #25 for general education this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 44 general education students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $80,727 in their early career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Vanguard University Of Southern California