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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California

44 Colleges
$24,682 Avg Salary
$12,147 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree School for You

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular subjects to study in California. With 52,773 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 2nd out of all the majors we track in the state.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 44 schools in California to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for liberal arts majors pursuing a associate degree.

Top 10 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools

#1

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Our analysis found Brandman University to be the best school for liberal arts general studies students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Brandman carry an average student debtload of $18,359.

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#2

National University

La Jolla, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. National University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.

On average, liberal arts graduates from National University take out $13,456 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#3

Los Angeles Valley College

Valley Glen, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Los Angeles Valley College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. LAVC is a large public school located in the large city of Valley Glen.

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#4

West Valley College

Saratoga, CA

Out of the 44 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, West Valley College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at West Valley College accumulate an average of around $11,109 in student debt.

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#5

San Jose City College

San Jose, CA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means San Jose City College is a great place for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose City College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from San Jose City College carry an average student debtload of $8,241.

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#6

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

With a ranking of #6, Chaffey College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Chaffey College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Rancho Cucamonga.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Chaffey College accumulate an average of around $10,958 in student debt.

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#7

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Riverside City College take out an average of $12,677 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#8

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles City College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Los Angeles City College carry an average student debtload of $15,535.

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#9

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA

Los Angeles Harbor College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. LAHC is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Wilmington.

Liberal Arts majors at LAHC take out an average of $9,864 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#10

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the large city of Santa Ana, SAC is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from SAC carry an average student debtload of $10,928.

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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 17,408
Oregon 8,599
Nevada 1,679
Hawaii 2,024
Alaska 417

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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