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Best Schools for General Studies in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in California.
Top Schools in General Studies
Golden West College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Golden West College awarded about 558 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Golden West College
Palomar College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. There were roughly 426 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Palomar College in the most recent data year.
Get the full general studies details for Palomar College
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 134 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $36,875 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,552 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
National University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. National University awarded about 127 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from National University generally make around $49,487. National University graduates carry a median of $22,717 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for National University
A rank of #5 makes Hartnell College one of the top schools for general studies. This large public university is located in the city of Salinas. Hartnell College awarded about 76 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Hartnell College earn around $21,176 in the first couple years of their career. Hartnell College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for Hartnell College
University Of La Verne landed the #6 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $25,945 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of La Verne
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 17 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $18,621 early in their careers. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for The Masters College And Seminary
Cosumnes River College earned the #8 position for general studies this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 19 general studies degrees were awarded at Cosumnes River College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from Cosumnes River College
Life Pacific College placed #9 among the best general studies schools. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. About 38% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Life Pacific College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $39,411. Life Pacific College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Life Pacific College
Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 90 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for Mt San Antonio College
