Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in California

California has 50 colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 3,790 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $29,662 on average within two years — 8% below the national average of $32,217. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn $42,682 while San Jose State University graduates earn $26,739 — a $15,943 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$29,662

CA Avg. Earnings

$32,217

National Avg.

559

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in California

Public Schools (25)

$27,846

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (20)

$31,388

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,542 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,425

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 88.6%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,741

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 29.8%

Antioch University-Los Angeles

Culver City, CA ·

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,266

Graduates: 91

Acceptance: N/A

Antioch University-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA ·

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,266

Graduates: 91

Acceptance: N/A

Dominican University of California

San Rafael, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,325

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 95.6%

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,477

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 63.3%

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,423

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 91.3%

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$42,235

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,911

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 40.3%

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,883

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 79.9%

#10

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,814

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 88.9%

#11

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,475

Graduates: 143

Acceptance: 47.1%

#12

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$26,519

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,900

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 91.9%

#13

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$33,077

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,101

Graduates: 81

Acceptance: 94.7%

#14

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,287

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 97.5%

#15

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$20,388

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,355

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 80.9%

#16

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$32,467

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,259

Graduates: 219

Acceptance: 94.8%

#17

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$30,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,529

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 48.5%

#18

University of Massachusetts Global

Aliso Viejo, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,893

Graduates: 74

Acceptance: N/A

#19

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,650

Graduates: 172

Acceptance: 96.2%

#20

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,909

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 10.0%

#21

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$23,242

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,210

Graduates: 182

Acceptance: 96.4%

#22

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$20,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,662

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 34.4%

#23

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$27,181

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,647

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 95.7%

#24

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$40,428

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,619

Graduates: 103

Acceptance: 96.8%

#25

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$20,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,756

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 88.2%

#26

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$21,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,155

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 86.7%

#27

Los Angeles Pacific University

San Dimas, CA ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#28

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$34,187

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,567

Graduates: 231

Acceptance: 79.5%

#29

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$29,820

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,971

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 93.6%

#30

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$27,874

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,678

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 73.6%

#32

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$26,248

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,120

Graduates: 92

Acceptance: 93.7%

#33

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$32,284

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,436

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 93.1%

#35

Soka University of America

Aliso Viejo, CA · Private

$30,228

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,666

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 69.5%

#36

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$24,808

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,419

Graduates: 220

Acceptance: 98.3%

#37

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$33,637

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,216

Graduates: 284

Acceptance: 93.2%

#38

Simpson University

Redding, CA · Private

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $17,753

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 99.0%

#39

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$25,603

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,555

Graduates: 180

Acceptance: 73.7%

#40

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,529

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: N/A

#41

Concordia University-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,797

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 59.9%

#42

La Sierra University

Riverside, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 93.3%

#43

Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

Stockton, CA ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#44

Thomas Aquinas College

Santa Paula, CA · Private

$30,047

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,750

Graduates: 102

Acceptance: 78.7%

#45

The Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita, CA · Private

$25,967

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,715

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 75.9%

#46

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

Providence Christian College

Pasadena, CA · Private

$19,592

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,451

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 92.5%

#48

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$21,266

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,046

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 98.8%

#49

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,536

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 41.6%

#50

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,679

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 80.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in California?

Saint Mary's College of California ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in California with median graduate earnings of $42,682 within two years of graduation. There are 50 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state.

How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn in California?

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates in California earn an average of $29,662 within two years of graduation. This is 8% below the national average of $32,217 for this major.

What is the hardest Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities school to get into in California?

University of Southern California is the most selective Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program in California with an acceptance rate of 10.0%. The average acceptance rate across Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state is 77.1%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in California?

In California, private Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs produce average earnings of $31,388 vs $27,846 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 25 public and 20 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.