Explore our list of the best liberal arts colleges in California and find out what makes them stand out. In this guide, we’ve pulled together a list of the top schools worth your attention.
A good liberal arts college should offer small class sizes, dedicated faculty, a wide range of programs, strong academic support, financial aid opportunities, and a learning environment that focuses on both personal and intellectual growth. These features are what truly set the best schools apart.
We’ve considered these factors and done the research to highlight the top 10 liberal arts colleges in California that embody these qualities. Each one on this list has something unique to offer, whether it’s close mentoring, academic flexibility, or outstanding career preparation.
As you keep reading, you’ll not only discover which colleges made the cut but also get a clearer picture of what liberal arts colleges are all about, how they differ from larger universities, and answers to common questions students often ask.
What Are Liberal Arts Colleges?
A liberal arts college is a type of institution that focuses on giving students a broad education across many fields, rather than just training in one area. Students don’t only take classes in their chosen major; they also study subjects like history, literature, science, philosophy, and the arts. The idea is to shape well-rounded graduates who can think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.
What makes these schools stand out is their close-knit learning environment. They tend to be smaller than big universities, with small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio. This means professors are more accessible, and students often get the chance to form close mentoring relationships, join discussions, and even work alongside faculty on research.
The difference between liberal arts colleges and larger universities is the focus of education. While universities often emphasize specialized training or technical degrees, liberal arts colleges encourage flexibility and interdisciplinary learning. This prepares students not just for one career, but for a lifetime of adapting to new roles, graduate study, or even changing career paths altogether.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California
1. Pomona College
Pomona College is one of the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California, located in Claremont and part of the prestigious Claremont Colleges consortium. It offers around 45 majors in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and arts, while also giving students access to courses across neighboring colleges.
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), ensuring its programs meet high academic standards. Tuition sits at around $68,000 per year, and the total cost of attendance can reach over $90,000, but Pomona is also well-known for its generous financial aid, often covering the full demonstrated need of admitted students.
2. Claremont McKenna College (CMC)
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is one of the top Liberal Arts Colleges in California, located in Claremont. The school is especially strong in government, economics, international relations, and leadership-focused programs, while still offering a variety of liberal arts majors.
CMC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Tuition is around $71,700 a year, with the total cost of attendance close to $97,000, though many students receive financial aid.
3. Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd is a private liberal arts college in Claremont with a strong focus on STEM, especially engineering, computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, and interdisciplinary combos of those. Everyone gets a rigorous core curriculum early on that includes science, writing, and social impact.
Tuition alone is about $68,600-$72,700 per year, depending on the year, and living on campus bumps the total cost (tuition + housing + food + other expenses) to around $93,000 yearly; choosing to live off campus saves a bit. Most students (60-70%+) receive financial aid, so the net price can drop significantly once that’s factored in.
The student-faculty ratio is around 8:1. Graduates tend to do well in jobs or grad school, and the school is well-accredited.
3. Scripps College
Scripps College is a private, women’s liberal arts college in Claremont that’s part of the Claremont Colleges consortium. The school offers majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It’s especially known for giving students strong support, small class sizes, and chances to mix and match courses across the other Claremont Colleges to expand what you can study.
Tuition and fees run about US$65,950–$68,500 per year. After financial aid (which many students get), the net cost comes down a lot. Over half of undergrads receive aid; the average aid amount is somewhere in the mid-US$30,000s.
4. Pitzer College
Pitzer College in Claremont is known for its progressive spirit and strong emphasis on social justice, environmental sustainability, and intercultural understanding. Students can choose from a variety of majors in the arts, sciences, and social sciences, and there’s plenty of freedom to design individualized study paths. Because it’s part of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer students also get access to the broader course offerings of the consortium.
The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and maintains a reputation for academic rigor paired with social engagement. Annual tuition is about $68,000, but the school offers financial aid to help make education more accessible.
5. Occidental College
Occidental College (often called “Oxy”) is a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles and is frequently included among the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California. The school offers over 40 majors spanning arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, such as Biology, Economics, English, Computer Science, Diplomacy & World Affairs, Environmental Science, and more.
Oxy is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), with its most recent reaffirmation in 2022.
The school states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for accepted students, and for California residents, it has a “Cal Grant Promise,” which means qualified students may get their tuition fully covered.
6. Thomas Aquinas College
Thomas Aquinas College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college located in Santa Paula. Its curriculum is unique; students receive a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts through a fully integrated, Great Books–based program rather than choosing from many separate majors. Instead of textbooks, students study classic works in philosophy, literature, science, and theology, engaging with sources.
It maintains small classes (seminars, tutorials) of about 14–18 students, with a student-faculty ratio of roughly 11:1. The student body is small (about 500-600 students), which fosters a tight community and close interaction with faculty.
The college is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
7. Westmont College
Westmont College is a Christian liberal arts college in Santa Barbara. It offers majors and programs in fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, art, literature, data analytics, and environmental studies.
Almost all students receive some form of financial aid, and Westmont is known for awarding generous merit- and need-based scholarships, which greatly reduce the actual cost for many families. The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
8. Whittier College
Whittier College, located in Whittier, California, is a private liberal arts school that allows students plenty of options to shape their education. It offers over 50 majors and concentrations ranging from biology, chemistry, economics, and English to computer science, environmental studies, theatre, and global & cultural studies. Students have a wide academic menu to choose from.
Through the unique Whittier Scholars Program, students even have the chance to design their own majors, blending disciplines and including real-world learning experiences like internships or study abroad.
The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a mark of strong academic standards. It also holds the distinction of being designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
9. Saint Mary’s College
Saint Mary’s is a private liberal arts college in Moraga in the San Francisco Bay Area. It offers over 30 majors, plus minors and certificates, especially strong in humanities, sciences, and business. Their School of Liberal Arts, School of Science, and School of Economics & Business Administration provide a wide academic variety.
The college is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and also has specialized accreditations in business (AACSB), music, nursing, social work, etc.
Tuition & mandatory fees are about $57,800 for undergraduates for the year. Nearly all students receive some financial aid, including merit scholarships; average aid is significant.
10. Soka University of America (SUA)
Soka University of America (SUA) is a private liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo. It was founded in 1987 and is rooted in Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing peace, human rights, and global citizenship. The school’s student body is small (under 500), and many classes have fewer students, which helps with personal attention and strong mentoring.
SUA is accredited by the same regional accreditation body that validates high-quality schools in the western U.S. (WSCUC). It offers a broad liberal arts curriculum, and students explore the humanities, natural and social sciences, and arts, and have opportunities for interdisciplinary work.
Tuition is on the higher side, comparable to other Liberal Arts Colleges in California, though SUA also offers financial aid to many students, so the net cost can be lower depending on circumstances.
FAQs About Top Liberal Arts Colleges in California
1. Are liberal arts colleges in California worth it?
Yes. California has some of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, known for small class sizes, strong mentoring, and diverse programs. Many also rank highly for student outcomes and provide great opportunities thanks to California’s strong job market.
2. What are the job prospects for graduates of liberal arts colleges in California?
Graduates do well because the skills they gain (problem-solving, communication, and adaptability) are valued in many industries. In California, liberal arts graduates often go into business, tech, education, media, healthcare, and non-profit work, with many continuing to graduate school.
3. Are liberal arts degrees respected by employers in California?
Yes. Many California employers, especially in tech, business, and creative industries, appreciate the flexibility and critical thinking that liberal arts graduates bring. While the degree itself may not be job-specific, the skills are highly transferable.
4. Is financial aid available at liberal arts colleges in California?
Almost all of them offer financial aid. Though the listed tuition can be high, many students receive scholarships, grants, or need-based aid that make these schools much more affordable.
Take your time exploring, compare what each college has to offer, and think about which environment best fits your goals.