Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 42 Liberal Arts programs in California by median earnings of Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. Saint Mary's College of California leads the list at $68,501, followed by California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo at $68,171, a gap of just $330.
Across the listed schools, the median figure is $57,468, with a spread from $68,501 to $26,739.
The list includes 23 public and 19 private nonprofit institutions. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967, while Soka University of America reports the highest six-year completion rate at 92%.
California State University-Los Angeles ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Liberal Arts Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CA | $68,501 | $30,378 | $19,462 | 86.5% |
| Saint Mary's College of California reports $68,501 in median earnings for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (64 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($68,501) | |||||
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $68,171 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| A public university in San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 31% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 86%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (107 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($68,171) | |||||
| 3 | Dominican University of California · San Rafael, CA | $65,780 | $35,333 | $24,572 | 83.5% |
| Dominican University of California, a private nonprofit school in San Rafael, posts an average net price of $24,572 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (7 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $62,211 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
| University of California-Riverside ranks 31st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $62,211 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (87 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($62,211) | |||||
| 5 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $62,164 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills has a six-year completion rate of 43% and an average net price of $8,615. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (190 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($62,164) | |||||
| 6 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $62,148 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
| Loyola Marymount University lists median earnings of $62,148 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 45%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (19 graduates) | |||||
| 7 | Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA | $61,939 | $29,053 | $20,899 | 77.1% |
| Westmont College reports a six-year completion rate of 70% and an average net price of $20,899 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (6 graduates) | |||||
| 8 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $60,806 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| California Lutheran University ranks 8th on this list and carries an average net price of $30,109. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($60,806) | |||||
| 9 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $60,019 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| Median earnings of $60,019 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing place California State University-Long Beach at 9th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (279 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($60,019) | |||||
| 10 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $59,904 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967 and ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (138 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($59,904) | |||||
| 11 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $59,444 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| Sonoma State University reports median earnings of $59,444 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, with a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (137 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($59,444) | |||||
| 12 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $59,251 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| A six-year completion rate of 53% coincides with an average net price of $6,067 at California State University-Stanislaus. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (246 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($59,251) | |||||
| 13 | University of Redlands · Redlands, CA | $59,234 | $30,031 | $28,287 | 82.7% |
| University of Redlands, a private nonprofit university in Redlands, reports $59,234 in median earnings of Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $30,031. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (18 graduates) | |||||
| 14 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $59,017 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 59%, California State University-Monterey Bay ranks 14th on this list and posts median earnings of $59,017 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (242 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($59,017) | |||||
| 15 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $58,953 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
| University of La Verne admits 71% of applicants and its Liberal Arts graduates earn a median of $58,953 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,953) | |||||
| 16 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $58,617 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| San Francisco State University ranks 51st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $58,617 in median earnings of Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (97 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,617) | |||||
| 17 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $58,436 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| An average net price of $7,000 coincides with median earnings of $58,436 for Liberal Arts graduates of California State University-Fresno four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (529 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,436) | |||||
| 18 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $58,419 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University graduates 76% of its students within six years and its Liberal Arts completers earn a median of $58,419 four years after graduating. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (232 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,419) | |||||
| 19 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $58,289 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| California State University-San Marcos ranks 19th on this list, with an average net price of $6,230 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $58,289 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (174 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,289) | |||||
| 20 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $57,755 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| Ranking 67th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, California State University-East Bay reports $57,755 in median earnings of Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing alongside a six-year completion rate of 48%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($57,755) | |||||
| 21 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $57,529 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| California State University-Bakersfield posts an average net price of $3,536 for families earning under $30,000 and its Liberal Arts graduates earn a median of $57,529 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (312 graduates) | |||||
| 22 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $57,408 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| An average net price of $6,555 and a six-year completion rate of 70% accompany median earnings of $57,408 for Liberal Arts graduates of California State University-Fullerton four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (152 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($57,408) | |||||
| 23 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $56,994 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
| Azusa Pacific University, a private nonprofit university in Azusa, reports $56,994 in median earnings of Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,212. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (81 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($56,994) | |||||
| 24 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $56,637 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| California State University-Sacramento ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Liberal Arts graduates earn a median of $56,637 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (166 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($56,637) | |||||
| 25 | Mount Saint Mary's University · Los Angeles, CA | $56,616 | $21,413 | $23,849 | 73.1% |
| Mount Saint Mary's University, a private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, reports median earnings of $56,616 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $21,413. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (15 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $55,968 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 62%, California Baptist University in Riverside posts median earnings of $55,968 for Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($55,968) | |||||
| 27 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $55,008 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico admits 93% of applicants and its Liberal Arts graduates earn a median of $55,008 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (216 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($55,008) | |||||
| 28 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $54,474 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| University of San Diego reports median earnings of $54,474 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $30,365. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (26 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $54,015 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| A public institution in Camarillo, California State University-Channel Islands shows an average net price of $9,849 and median earnings of $54,015 for Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (116 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,015) | |||||
| 30 | Soka University of America · Aliso Viejo, CA | $52,896 | $18,260 | $12,020 | 43.4% |
| Soka University of America graduates 92% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $52,896 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (97 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,896) | |||||
| 31 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $52,799 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino reports median earnings of $52,799 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $4,564. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (223 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,799) | |||||
| 32 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $52,772 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| Ranking 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, California State University-Northridge reports median earnings of $52,772 for Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (282 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,772) | |||||
| 33 | Simpson University · Redding, CA | $52,311 | $27,817 | $25,511 | 86.0% |
| Simpson University, a private nonprofit institution in Redding, reports median earnings of $52,311 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 86%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (22 graduates) | |||||
| 34 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $51,492 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reports median earnings of $51,492 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 68%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (149 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,492) | |||||
| 35 | Concordia University-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $51,206 | $28,115 | $25,431 | 66.0% |
| Concordia University-Irvine reports median earnings of $51,206 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $28,115. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,206) | |||||
| 36 | La Sierra University · Riverside, CA | $51,085 | $45,566 | $44,988 | 91.5% |
| La Sierra University reports median earnings of $51,085 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $45,566. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (12 graduates) | |||||
| 37 | Thomas Aquinas College · Santa Paula, CA | $49,898 | $26,196 | $19,761 | 83.1% |
| Thomas Aquinas College reports median earnings of $49,898 for its Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate reaches 84%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (115 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($49,898) | |||||
| 38 | The Master's University and Seminary · Santa Clarita, CA | $47,263 | $32,647 | $24,624 | 84.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Santa Clarita, The Master's University and Seminary admits 84% of applicants and shows an average net price of $32,647. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($47,263) | |||||
| 39 | Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA | $45,696 | $58,098 | $50,560 | 62.9% |
| Pepperdine University ranks 39th on this list with median earnings of $45,696 two years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 83%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (12 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | Providence Christian College · Pasadena, CA | $45,640 | $25,163 | $23,481 | 100.0% |
| Providence Christian College admits 100% of applicants and reports an average net price of $25,163, while its six-year completion rate stands at 20%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($45,640) | |||||
| 41 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $42,049 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, a public university in Arcata, posts median earnings of $42,049 four years after completing and an average net price of $13,171. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($42,049) | |||||
| 42 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $26,739 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| San Jose State University reports median earnings of $26,739 two years after completing and an average net price of $9,730 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (56 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Liberal Arts graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Liberal Arts earnings cohort in California appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 2 of the 42 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. Saint Mary's College of California leads California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo by just $330, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $41,762.