by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 103 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 69,028 associate degrees in liberal arts general studies during the 2022-2023 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of liberal arts general studies for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Every student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts general studies has to take a look at Irvine Valley College. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Irvine.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Irvine Valley College
Modesto Junior College is a wonderful decision for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program report average early career earnings of $28,387.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Modesto Junior College
Portland Community College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Portland Community College is a very large public college located in the city of Portland.
Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Portland Community College receive an earnings boost of around $2,789 above the average income of liberal arts general studies majors.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Portland Community College
Santiago Canyon College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. SCC is a large public college located in the city of Orange.
Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Santiago Canyon College make $9,086 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Santiago Canyon College
Golden West College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Golden West College
Saddleback College is a large public college located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo.
After graduation, liberal arts associate recipients generally make about $16,740 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Saddleback College
MSJC is a large public college located in the medium-sized suburb of San Jacinto.
Soon after graduating, liberal arts associate recipients generally make around $23,923 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Mt. San Jacinto College
Located in the large suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public college with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program report average early career wages of $18,208.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Cerritos College
Located in the large city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn around $25,433 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from College of Southern Nevada
Riverside City College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Riverside.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career income of $27,524.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Riverside City College
West Valley College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of Saratoga.
After graduating, liberal arts associate recipients usually make around $26,161 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from West Valley College
Located in the large city of Stockton, Delta is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College earn a boost of around $4,429 over the average income of liberal arts general studies graduates.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from San Joaquin Delta College
Located in the medium-sized city of Bellevue, BC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $29,666 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Bellevue College
IVC is a medium-sized public college located in the rural area of Imperial.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Imperial Valley College
Pierce College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Woodland Hills.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Los Angeles Pierce College
Located in the large suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career earnings of $29,163.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Chemeketa Community College
Located in the midsize city of Ventura, Ventura College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Ventura College
Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Shasta College
Los Angeles City College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Los Angeles City College
Located in the small city of Palm Desert, College of the Desert is a public college with a large student population.
Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from College of the Desert earn a boost of about $2,354 over the average income of liberal arts general studies graduates.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from College of the DesertHere are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Far Western US Region that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA |
| 22 | Merced College | Merced, CA |
| 23 | Mt. Hood Community College | Gresham, OR |
| 24 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen, CA |
| 25 | Highline College | Des Moines, WA |
| 26 | Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA |
| 27 | Lane Community College | Eugene, OR |
| 28 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
| 29 | Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom | Lakewood, WA |
| 30 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| 31 | Spokane Community College | Spokane, WA |
| 32 | San Jose City College | San Jose, CA |
| 33 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
| 34 | Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA |
Explore the best liberal arts general studies colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 192 | 46,600 |
| Oregon | 147 | 8,258 |
| Washington | 131 | 16,515 |
| Nevada | 112 | 1,627 |
| Hawaii | 59 | 1,942 |
| Alaska | 54 | 407 |
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of 0 different types of Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 51,780 |
| Humanities | 13,954 |
| General Studies | 3,039 |
| Individualized Studies | 255 |
