by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 50 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 46,241 associate degrees in liberal arts general studies during the 2022-2023 academic year.
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The liberal arts associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
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.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete 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.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list to help you make the college 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.
It's hard to beat Irvine Valley College if you want to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Irvine Valley College
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in liberal arts general studies has to take a look at Modesto Junior College. MJC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Modesto.
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
Santiago Canyon College is a good decision for students pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the midsize city of Orange, SCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Santiago Canyon College make $9,731 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Santiago Canyon College
Every student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts general studies needs to take a look at Golden West College. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Golden West College
Located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a public college with a large student population.
Soon after graduating, liberal arts associate recipients typically earn about $16,740 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Saddleback College
Located in the medium-sized suburb of San Jacinto, MSJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
After graduation, liberal arts associate recipients usually make about $23,923 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Mt. San Jacinto College
Cerritos College is a very large public college located in the suburb of Norwalk.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program state that they receive 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 Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,524.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Riverside City College
Located in the large suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Soon after graduating, liberal arts associate recipients generally earn an average of $26,161 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from West Valley College
Delta is a fairly large public college located in the city of Stockton.
Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at San Joaquin Delta College make $5,074 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from San Joaquin Delta CollegeHere are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students in the state of California that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA |
| 12 | Los Angeles Pierce College | Woodland Hills, CA |
| 13 | Ventura College | Ventura, CA |
| 14 | Shasta College | Redding, CA |
| 15 | Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 16 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 147 | 8,258 |
| Washington | 131 | 16,515 |
| Nevada | 112 | 1,627 |
| Hawaii | 59 | 1,942 |
| Alaska | 54 | 407 |
One of 0 majors within the Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities area of study, Liberal Arts General Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 31,990 |
| Humanities | 13,953 |
| General Studies | 288 |
| Individualized Studies | 10 |
