2024 Best Colleges for Liberal Arts in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Liberal Arts programs in California. We looked at 70 programs to put our Liberal Arts rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Liberal Arts in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Liberal Arts is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Liberal Arts: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Liberal Arts in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Liberal Arts undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Liberal Arts degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Liberal Arts Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

Pepperdine University is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Pepperdine University earned an average of $49,058 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

California State University-Monterey Bay is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,119 to attend California State University-Monterey Bay.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts in California?

Scripps College is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $49,152 to attend Scripps College.

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#1 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $49,058
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 27
Pepperdine University
4 Year
Malibu, CA
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Pepperdine University, located in Malibu, CA has 27 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $49,058.
Acceptance Rate 38%
Undergraduates 2,664 students
Tuition $48,342
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#2 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $46,769
Average Debt $27,701
Program Size 28
Holy Names University
4 Year
Oakland, CA
Holy Names University, located in Oakland, CA has 28 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $46,769.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 294 students
Tuition $35,666
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#3 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $44,971
Average Debt $25,646
Program Size 123
Saint Mary's College of California
4 Year
Moraga, CA
Saint Mary's College of California, located in Moraga, CA has 123 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $44,971.
Acceptance Rate 98%
Undergraduates 1,102 students
Tuition $42,930
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#4 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $44,384
Average Debt $18,479
Program Size 218
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
4 Year
San Luis Obispo, CA
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, located in San Luis Obispo, CA has 218 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $44,384.
Acceptance Rate 31%
Undergraduates 5,066 students
Tuition $9,001
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#5 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $42,235
Average Debt $26,770
Program Size 352
Brandman University
4 Year
Irvine, CA
Brandman University, located in Irvine, CA has 352 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $42,235.
Acceptance Rate 75%
Undergraduates 2,310 students
Tuition $12,240
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#6 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $42,235
Average Debt $19,302
Program Size 85
Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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Loyola Marymount University (LMU), located in Los Angeles, CA has 85 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $42,235.
Acceptance Rate 51%
Undergraduates 2,530 students
Tuition $42,795
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#7 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $40,428
Average Debt $18,645
Program Size 296
California State University-East Bay
4 Year
Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay, located in Hayward, CA has 296 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $40,428.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 4,631 students
Tuition $6,564
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#8 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $39,523
Average Debt $29,196
Program Size 100
Ashford University
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Ashford University, located in San Diego, CA has 100 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $39,523.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,023 students
Tuition $10,720
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#9 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $39,009
Average Debt $26,665
Program Size 140
Azusa Pacific University (APU)
4 Year
Azusa, CA
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Azusa Pacific University (APU), located in Azusa, CA has 140 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $39,009.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 2,792 students
Tuition $34,754
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#10 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $35,653
Average Debt $17,384
Program Size 307
Sonoma State University
4 Year
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, CA has 307 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $35,653.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,461 students
Tuition $7,330
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#11 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt $28,323
Program Size 135
Antioch University-Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
Antioch University-Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara, CA has 135 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 157 students
Tuition N/A
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#12 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt $19,500
Program Size 39
Westmont College
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
Westmont College, located in Santa Barbara, CA has 39 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 313 students
Tuition $41,360
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#13 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt $28,323
Program Size 37
Antioch University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Culver City, CA
Antioch University-Los Angeles, located in Culver City, CA has 37 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 241 students
Tuition N/A
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#14 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $34,814
Average Debt $19,374
Program Size 396
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 396 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $34,814.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
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#15 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $34,348
Average Debt $17,363
Program Size 143
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
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San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 143 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $34,348.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
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Other Major Rankings
Best Liberal Arts Programs by State
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