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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Humanities Schools in California

44 Colleges in the United States
16,801 Humanities Degrees Awarded
$46,266 Avg Early-Career Salary

Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 schools to find the best for humanities students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Humanities in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Humanities

1

Leading the list is Santa Rosa Junior College, our #1 school for humanities. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 130 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Read more about the humanities program at Santa Rosa Junior College

2

A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the top schools for humanities. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 humanities students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from California State University Northridge earn around $37,941 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in humanities from California State University Northridge

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University Sacramento one of the top schools for humanities. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 13 humanities students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $30,286 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the humanities program at California State University Sacramento

4

Irvine Valley College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in humanities, ranking #4. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. There were roughly 165 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Irvine Valley College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $6,672. Get the full humanities details for Irvine Valley College

5

California State University Monterey Bay came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 107 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $30,413 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Read more about the humanities program at California State University Monterey Bay

6

Santiago Canyon College earned the #6 position for humanities this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. There were roughly 456 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full humanities program report for Santiago Canyon College

7

San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 humanities students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,112 early in their careers. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $15,467 in student loans. See the full humanities program report for San Francisco State University

8

University Of California Merced ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 18 humanities degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from University Of California Merced earn around $42,071 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. See the full humanities program report for University Of California Merced

9

San Diego Miramar College came in at #9 for humanities this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 16 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the humanities program at San Diego Miramar College

10
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College landed the #10 spot for humanities this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Oxnard College awarded about 152 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full humanities details for Oxnard College

11

Azusa Pacific University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 37 humanities degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Humanities graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $35,194 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the humanities program at Azusa Pacific University

12
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #12 position for humanities this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. About 164 humanities degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in humanities from Grossmont College

13
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College landed the #13 spot for humanities this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. There were roughly 328 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in humanities from Santa Barbara City College

14
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #14 for humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Golden West College awarded about 338 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in humanities from Golden West College

15
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College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #15 for humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 61 humanities degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $29,142 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750. See the full humanities program report for College Of The Canyons

16
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College landed the #16 spot for humanities this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 45 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. See the full humanities program report for Skyline College

17
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College placed #17 among the best humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. About 179 humanities degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $31,730. Students borrow a median of $6,193 to complete this degree. Read more about the humanities program at East Los Angeles College

18

Folsom Lake College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Folsom Lake College awarded about 85 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. See the full humanities program report for Folsom Lake College

19
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College placed #19 among the best humanities schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. There were roughly 89 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Mission College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in humanities from Mission College

20
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College came in at #20 for humanities this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Ventura College awarded about 349 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in humanities from Ventura College

21
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College placed #21 among the best humanities schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. About 623 humanities degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Santa Ana College earn around $28,950 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,014. Read more about the humanities program at Santa Ana College

22
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #22 for humanities this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. About 57 humanities degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Read more about the humanities program at De Anza College

23
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 108 humanities degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year. Read more about the humanities program at Palomar College

24

Pasadena City College came in at #24 for humanities this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 908 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $38,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Get the full humanities details for Pasadena City College

25
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #25 spot for humanities this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 267 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $64,492 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. Read more about the humanities program at Cuesta College

Rest of the Top 50 Humanities Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong humanities education:

26
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
27
28
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
29
30
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College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
31
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA
32
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
33
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
34
Contra Costa College crest
Contra Costa College
San Pablo, CA
35
36
37
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
38
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
39
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
40
41
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
42
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
43
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
44
45
46
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
47
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
48
49
Coastline Community College crest
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA
50
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for humanities:

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View All Humanities Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 130 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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