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Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in California

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2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in California

9 Colleges
$27,456 Avg Salary
$14,718 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is the #32 most popular major in California with 121 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Grad Degree Search has developed this Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 9 schools in California to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges.

Top California Schools in Liberal Arts & Humanities

Our 2023 rankings named Saint Mary’s College of California the best school in California for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the suburb of Moraga, SMC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Saint Mary’s College of California Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dominican University of California. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in California list. DUofC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of San Rafael.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Dominican University of California Report

#3

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA

The excellent programs at Mount Saint Mary’s University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools in California. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Mount Saint Mary’s University Report

#4

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend San Francisco State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in California list. SFSU is a very large public school located in the large city of San Francisco.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at San Francisco State University Report

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Out of the 9 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, San Diego State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. SDSU is a fairly large public school located in the city of San Diego.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at San Diego State University Report

California State University - Northridge did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #6 on the list. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Northridge.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Northridge

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the city of Carson, CSUDH is a public college with a large student population.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Dominguez Hills

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Cal State LA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Los Angeles Report

California State University - Sacramento landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Sac State is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at California State University - Sacramento Report

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 0
Oregon 23
Nevada 0
Alaska 7

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 2,680

Related Major Annual Graduates
Visual & Performing Arts 18,379
Theology & Religious Vocations 17,287
English Language & Literature 9,566
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 4,163
Philosophy & Religious Studies 3,136

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 9 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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