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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #221 | Linfield UniversityPrivate | Mcminnville, OR | $81,180 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,059 | 85.2% | 70.5% |
| #222 | Lane Community CollegePublic | Eugene, OR | $59,131 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,555 | — | 20.4% |
| #223 | Denver, CO | $77,686 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #224 | Scottsdale, AZ | $77,244 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #225 | University Of La VernePrivate | La Verne, CA | $64,109 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,151 | 71.2% | 63.1% |
| #226 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,968 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #227 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,968 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #228 | Touro University NevadaPrivate | Henderson, NV | $122,145 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #229 | San Bernardino, CA | $55,935 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,446 | — | — | |
| #230 | Solano Community CollegePublic | Fairfield, CA | $59,829 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,624 | — | 36.2% |
| #231 | Crafton Hills CollegePublic | Yucaipa, CA | $69,922 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,838 | — | 31.3% |
| #232 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,528 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,902 | — | 16.3% | |
| #233 | Lemoore CollegePublic | Lemoore, CA | $43,402 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,598 | — | — |
| #234 | Silver City, NM | $54,074 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,381 | — | 32.2% | |
| #235 | Keck Graduate InstitutePrivate | Claremont, CA | $82,886 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #236 | Santa Barbara, CA | $63,514 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,333 | — | — | |
| #237 | City University Of SeattlePrivate | Seattle, WA | $83,698 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #238 | Utah Tech UniversityPublic | Saint George, UT | $55,624 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,158 | — | 38.4% |
| #239 | Gavilan CollegePublic | Gilroy, CA | $56,285 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,507 | — | — |
| #240 | Northwest Indian CollegePublic | Bellingham, WA | $49,696 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,630 | — | 18.1% |
