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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
San Diego Mesa College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $33,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,176. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Reedley College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,434. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
