Home to 205 ranked institutions, the West offers a diverse higher education landscape ranging from research powerhouses like University Of California-San Diego to specialized regional colleges. With 45% public universities and 55% private colleges, graduates earn a median of $61,448 ten years after enrollment—demonstrating the region's strength in producing career-ready graduates.
Graduates from West institutions earn between $24,505 and $138,687 ten years after enrollment—$5,631 higher than the national average. University Of California-San Diego leads the rankings with the highest Azimuth Score of 2.8, while University Of California-Berkeley graduates achieve median earnings of $92,446, showcasing how program selection directly impacts career outcomes across this competitive landscape.
While University Of California-San Diego dominates the rankings, students looking for more accessible admissions should consider California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. With an acceptance rate of 73%, it offers a strategic alternative for students prioritizing strong graduate outcomes without the ultra-competitive admissions process of the top UC campuses.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #201 | Fairbanks, AK | $67,252 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,992 | — | 38.0% | |
| #202 | Wright Institute (The) -Private | Berkeley, CA | $91,098 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #203 | The Wright InstitutePrivate | Berkeley, CA | $91,098 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #204 | Arcata, CA | $51,571 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,483 | 98.2% | 48.5% | |
| #205 | Salem, OR | $50,594 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,346 | — | 21.3% | |
| #206 | San Diego, CA | $90,930 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #207 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | Azusa, CA | $71,925 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,781 | 88.4% | 61.8% |
| #208 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,673 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,716 | — | — | |
| #209 | Mohave Community CollegePublic | Kingman, AZ | $53,142 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,421 | — | — |
| #210 | Phoenix, AZ | $64,729 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,823 | — | 18.9% | |
| #211 | Pacific Oaks CollegePrivate | Pasadena, CA | $56,852 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | 34.4% | — |
| #212 | Roswell, NM | $54,591 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,772 | 52.6% | — | |
| #213 | Santiago Canyon CollegePublic | Orange, CA | $55,988 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$219 | — | — |
| #214 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | Fresno, CA | $63,285 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,133 | 64.1% | 50.0% |
| #215 | College Of Eastern IdahoPublic | Idaho Falls, ID | $55,123 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,387 | — | — |
| #216 | Foothill CollegePublic | Los Altos Hills, CA | $68,070 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,571 | — | 56.4% |
| #217 | Anaheim, CA | $82,068 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #218 | Regis UniversityPrivate | Denver, CO | $81,785 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,713 | 86.5% | 61.0% |
| #219 | Folsom Lake CollegePublic | Folsom, CA | $58,876 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,458 | — | — |
| #220 | University Of IdahoPublic | Moscow, ID | $60,330 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,270 | 75.5% | 57.3% |
