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Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California

134 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 134 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Liberal Arts General Studies program at each school on the list.

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

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Our analysis found Pasadena City College to be the most popular school for liberal arts general studies students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Pasadena City College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Pasadena.

Of the 2,428 students majoring in liberal arts at Pasadena City College, 38% are male and 62% are female.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pasadena City College

#2

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Golden West College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular liberal arts general studies schools in California. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 2,255 students majoring in liberal arts at Golden West College, 37% are male and 63% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Golden West College carry an average student debt load of $9,351.

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#3

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Bakersfield College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular liberal arts general studies schools in California. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a public college with a very large student population.

Of the 1,933 students majoring in liberal arts at Bakersfield College, 29% are male and 71% are female.

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#4

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Out of the 134 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a large student population.

About 70% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 30% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Riverside City College carry an average student debt load of $12,677.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Riverside City College Report

#5

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Santa Monica College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular liberal arts general studies schools in California. SMC is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica.

Women make up 65% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

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#6

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA

Los Angeles Harbor College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. LAHC is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Wilmington.

About 71% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 29% are male.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at LAHC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,864.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Harbor College Report

#7

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. Moorpark College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Moorpark.

Women make up 65% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Moorpark College Report

#8

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. Chaffey College is a large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga.

Of the 1,219 students majoring in liberal arts at Chaffey College, 24% are male and 76% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Chaffey College carry an average student debt load of $10,958.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Chaffey College

#9

Irvine Valley College

Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the large city of Irvine.

About 61% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 39% are male.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Irvine Valley College Report

#10

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo.

Women make up 60% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Saddleback College Report

#11

Norco College

Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Norco College is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Norco.

Of the 1,056 students majoring in liberal arts at Norco College, 34% are male and 66% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Norco College carry an average student debt load of $8,874.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Norco College

#12

San Joaquin Delta College

Stockton, CA

San Joaquin Delta College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Delta is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Stockton.

Women make up 72% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Liberal Arts majors at Delta take out an average of $10,273 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at San Joaquin Delta College Report

#13

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, CA

With a ranking of #13, Los Angeles Pierce College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Pierce College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills.

Women make up 61% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Pierce College accumulate an average of around $16,296 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Los Angeles Pierce College

#14

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. SBCC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Santa Barbara.

Of the 1,010 students majoring in liberal arts at SBCC, 30% are male and 70% are female.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Santa Barbara City College

#15

Ventura College

Ventura, CA

Ventura College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Ventura, Ventura College is a public school with a large student population.

Of the 953 students majoring in liberal arts at Ventura College, 30% are male and 70% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Ventura College take out $10,681 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ventura College

#16

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Moreno Valley.

Of the 915 students majoring in liberal arts at Moreno Valley College, 30% are male and 70% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Moreno Valley College accumulate an average of around $12,453 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Moreno Valley College

#17

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the large city of Santa Ana, SAC is a public college with a very large student population.

Of the 882 students majoring in liberal arts at SAC, 31% are male and 69% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at SAC take out an average of $10,928 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

#18

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California list. Allan Hancock College is a medium-sized public school located in the midsize city of Santa Maria.

About 75% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 25% are male.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Allan Hancock College Report

#19

El Camino College

Torrance, CA

With a ranking of #19, El Camino College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Torrance, El Camino College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 62% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 38% are male.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at El Camino College

#20

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

Mt. San Jacinto College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. MSJC is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of San Jacinto.

About 73% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 27% are male.

On average, liberal arts graduates from MSJC take out $8,632 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Mt. San Jacinto College Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
21 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA
22 Rio Hondo College Whittier, CA
23 Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles, CA
24 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA
24 Cabrillo College Aptos, CA
26 West Valley College Saratoga, CA

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

Explore all the Most Popular 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.

  • 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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