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Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California

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

Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, liberal arts / sciences and humanities students earned 52,773 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 3rd in the state.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Colleges.

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Pasadena City College the most popular school in California for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Pasadena City College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Pasadena.

Women make up 62% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Pasadena City College Report

#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 / sciences and humanities schools in California. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a large student population.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Golden West College

#3

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bakersfield College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 71% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

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#4

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Riverside City College is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a large student population.

Women make up 70% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Riverside City College Report

#5

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Santa Monica College is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. SMC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Santa Monica.

Women make up 65% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

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#6

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA

Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. LAHC is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Wilmington.

Of the 1,284 students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at LAHC, 29% are male and 71% are female.

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#7

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Moorpark College is a large public school located in the midsize suburb of Moorpark.

Of the 1,224 students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at Moorpark College, 35% are male and 65% are female.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moorpark College Report

#8

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

With a ranking of #8, Chaffey College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Chaffey College is a large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Chaffey College

#9

Irvine Valley College

Irvine, CA

With a ranking of #9, Irvine Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students working on their associate degree. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Irvine.

Of the 1,160 students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at Irvine Valley College, 39% are male and 61% are female.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Irvine Valley College Report

#10

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Saddleback College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo.

Women make up 60% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

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#11

Norco College

Norco, CA

Norco College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Norco College is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Norco.

About 66% of the students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at the school are women while 34% are male.

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#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 / sciences and humanities programs. Delta is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Stockton.

Women make up 72% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at San Joaquin Delta College

#13

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, CA

Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California list. Pierce College is a large public school located in the large city of Woodland Hills.

Women make up 61% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Read More…

#14

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. SBCC is a large public school located in the small city of Santa Barbara.

Women make up 70% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Santa Barbara City College Report

#15

Ventura College

Ventura, CA

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

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

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ventura College Report

#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 / sciences and humanities 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 suburb of Moreno Valley.

Women make up 70% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Read More…

#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 / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the city of Santa Ana, SAC is a public school with a very large student population.

About 69% of the students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at the school are women while 31% are male.

Read More…

#18

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, CA

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

Women make up 75% of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at the school.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Allan Hancock College

#19

El Camino College

Torrance, CA

El Camino College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino College is a public school with a large student population.

Of the 836 students majoring in liberal arts / sciences and humanities at El Camino College, 38% are male and 62% are female.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at El Camino College Report

#20

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students to get a associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. MSJC is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto.

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

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Mt. San Jacinto College Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 Cabrillo College Aptos, CA
24 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA
26 West Valley College Saratoga, CA

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

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

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

Majors Similar to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

Related Major Annual Graduates
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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