California · Liberal Arts and Sciences

Best Liberal Arts and Sciences institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…

Institutions
184
offering CIP 24.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
120,152
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$39,758
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
68
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,035
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
46%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
$122,860
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$56,0941470%$25,578$27,000
2Ashford University
San Diego Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$49,0105911%$26,445$31,500
3Antioch University - Los Angeles
Culver City Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,48726$29,832
4Antioch University - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,48714$29,832
5National University
San Diego Private not-for-profit · Associate degree
$41,54513643%$31,817$10,008
6Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,75810258%$16,500
7Los Angeles Pacific University
San Dimas Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,9855421%$21,273$33,893
8University of Massachusetts Global
Aliso Viejo Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,87521843%$27,608
9California State University - East Bay
Hayward Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,5097948%$15,944
10Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,1945462%$20,686$25,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.8%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~13,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$78,490
typically Doctoral or professional degree

What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in California

Jobs in California
48,460
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$122,860
median $104,310
Best-paying metro
$166,190
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Related careers

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in California.

Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Saint Mary's College of California tops the list at $56,094. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in California is $122,860 (median $104,310), across about 48,460 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+

The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…

What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+

The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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