58 colleges · California
Liberal arts and general studies colleges in California
58 colleges in California offer a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and general studies (27 public). Graduates of the typical program here earned $37,263 a year after graduating, compared with $42,487 nationally.
All liberal arts and general studies programs in California
Sorted by earnings four years after graduation. Click a heading to sort.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA | 14 | $49,960 | $68,501 | $25,972 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 102 | $36,044 | $68,171 | $13,000 |
| Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA | 5 | n/a | $65,780 | n/a |
| University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA | 98 | $34,349 | $62,211 | $14,875 |
| California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA | 170 | $49,568 | $62,164 | $12,500 |
| Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA | 13 | n/a | $62,148 | n/a |
| Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA | 13 | n/a | $61,939 | n/a |
| California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA | 20 | n/a | $60,806 | $20,842 |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | 293 | $44,000 | $60,019 | $13,000 |
| California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | 143 | $36,926 | $59,904 | $12,500 |
| Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA | 105 | $50,456 | $59,444 | $14,045 |
| California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA | 287 | $37,600 | $59,251 | $12,500 |
| University of RedlandsRedlands, CA | 15 | n/a | $59,234 | $25,250 |
| California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA | 238 | $44,724 | $59,017 | $11,000 |
| University of La VerneLa Verne, CA | 4 | $31,441 | $58,953 | n/a |
| University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo, CA | 84 | $47,252 | $58,739 | $23,000 |
| San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA | 49 | $43,229 | $58,617 | $17,481 |
| California State University-FresnoFresno, CA | 481 | $31,973 | $58,436 | $12,500 |
| San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA | 268 | $33,277 | $58,419 | $13,000 |
| California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA | 146 | $30,938 | $58,289 | $15,000 |
| California State University-East BayHayward, CA | 79 | $41,074 | $57,755 | $17,823 |
| California State University-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | 328 | $31,624 | $57,529 | $9,125 |
| California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA | 155 | $32,889 | $57,408 | $13,669 |
| Los Angeles Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA | 49 | $51,421 | $57,173 | $26,912 |
| Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA | 54 | $36,231 | $56,994 | $20,500 |
| California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA | 147 | $40,485 | $56,637 | $15,000 |
| Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA | 4 | n/a | $56,616 | n/a |
| California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA | 34 | $43,932 | $55,968 | $27,000 |
| California State University-ChicoChico, CA | 204 | $31,996 | $55,008 | $11,000 |
| University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | 15 | n/a | $54,474 | n/a |
| California State University-Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA | 90 | $35,509 | $54,015 | $13,875 |
| Soka University of AmericaAliso Viejo, CA | 87 | $33,229 | $52,896 | $16,750 |
| California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA | 269 | $33,994 | $52,799 | $15,000 |
| California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA | 255 | $40,504 | $52,772 | $11,497 |
| Simpson UniversityRedding, CA | 13 | n/a | $52,311 | $17,917 |
| California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | 139 | $31,688 | $51,492 | $15,000 |
| Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA | 26 | $39,391 | $51,206 | $23,750 |
| La Sierra UniversityRiverside, CA | 4 | n/a | $51,085 | n/a |
| Humphreys UniversityStockton, CA | 6 | n/a | $49,933 | n/a |
| Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, CA | 107 | $36,395 | $49,898 | $18,750 |
| The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA | 24 | n/a | $47,263 | n/a |
| California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA | 38 | $39,112 | $42,049 | $18,318 |
| National UniversitySan Diego, CA | 31 | $59,026 | n/a | $28,906 |
| Chapman UniversityOrange, CA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA | 136 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hope International UniversityFullerton, CA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondido, CA | 16 | n/a | n/a | $24,340 |
| Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Reach UniversityOakland, CA | 101 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA | 53 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United States UniversitySandy Springs, CA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of the PacificStockton, CA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Whittier CollegeWhittier, CA | 23 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in California offer liberal arts and general studies?
58 colleges in California awarded bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and general studies in 2022-23 or 2023-24, 27 of them public.
Where do liberal arts and general studies graduates earn the most in California?
Saint Mary's College of California, with median earnings of $68,501 four years after graduation (programs with at least 5 graduates).
Liberal arts and general studies nationwide · All colleges in California
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.