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

California has 41 colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 3,623 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $29,662 on average within two years — 8% below the national average of $32,158. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Pepperdine University graduates earn $45,696 while Providence Christian College graduates earn $19,592 — a $26,104 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$29,662

CA Avg. Earnings

$32,158

National Avg.

456

Schools Nationally

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

Public Schools (24)

$27,846

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (14)

$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

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

$45,696

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 49.9%

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,425

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 88.6%

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$42,235

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,911

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 40.3%

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$40,428

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,619

Graduates: 103

Acceptance: 96.8%

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,529

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: N/A

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

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$34,187

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,567

Graduates: 231

Acceptance: 79.5%

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,814

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 88.9%

#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,650

Graduates: 172

Acceptance: 96.2%

#11

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$33,637

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,216

Graduates: 284

Acceptance: 93.2%

#12

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$33,077

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,101

Graduates: 81

Acceptance: 94.7%

#13

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,475

Graduates: 143

Acceptance: 47.1%

#14

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$32,467

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,259

Graduates: 219

Acceptance: 94.8%

#15

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$32,284

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,436

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 93.1%

#16

Concordia University-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,797

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 59.9%

#17

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$30,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,529

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 48.5%

#18

Soka University of America

Aliso Viejo, CA · Private

$30,228

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,666

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 69.5%

#19

Thomas Aquinas College

Santa Paula, CA · Private

$30,047

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,750

Graduates: 102

Acceptance: 78.7%

#20

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$29,820

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,971

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 93.6%

#21

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%

#22

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,536

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 41.6%

#23

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$27,874

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,678

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 73.6%

#24

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$27,181

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,647

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 95.7%

#25

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,679

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 80.2%

#26

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$26,519

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,900

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 91.9%

#27

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,287

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 97.5%

#28

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$26,248

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,120

Graduates: 92

Acceptance: 93.7%

#29

The Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita, CA · Private

$25,967

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,715

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 75.9%

#30

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$25,603

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,555

Graduates: 180

Acceptance: 73.7%

#31

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,423

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 91.3%

#32

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,477

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 63.3%

#33

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$24,808

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,419

Graduates: 220

Acceptance: 98.3%

#34

Simpson University

Redding, CA · Private

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $17,753

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 99.0%

#35

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$23,242

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,210

Graduates: 182

Acceptance: 96.4%

#36

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$21,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,155

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 86.7%

#37

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$21,266

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,046

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 98.8%

#38

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$20,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,756

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 88.2%

#39

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$20,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,662

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 34.4%

#40

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$20,388

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,355

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 80.9%

#41

Providence Christian College

Pasadena, CA · Private

$19,592

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,451

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 92.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Pepperdine University ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in California with median graduate earnings of $45,696 within two years of graduation. There are 41 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 $32,158 for this major.

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

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the most selective Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program in California with an acceptance rate of 29.8%. The average acceptance rate across Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state is 78.9%.

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 24 public and 14 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889

All colleges in California →

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

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.