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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #301 | Cheyenne, WY | $49,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,873 | — | 38.4% | |
| #302 | Menlo CollegePrivate | Atherton, CA | $79,903 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,546 | 68.5% | 53.5% |
| #303 | San Diego, CA | $82,068 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #304 | Kirkland, WA | $55,891 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,255 | — | 37.0% | |
| #305 | Rogue Community CollegePublic | Grants Pass, OR | $46,107 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,318 | — | — |
| #306 | Las Positas CollegePublic | Livermore, CA | $52,625 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,020 | — | — |
| #307 | Honolulu, HI | $71,254 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,672 | — | — | |
| #308 | Pierce College DistrictPublic | Lakewood, WA | $53,333 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,816 | — | 30.8% |
| #309 | University Of Western StatesPrivate | Portland, OR | $57,165 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #310 | Lower Columbia CollegePublic | Longview, WA | $52,301 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,078 | — | 23.4% |
| #311 | Monmouth, OR | $54,346 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,575 | 98.1% | 47.1% | |
| #312 | Saint Martin's UniversityPrivate | Lacey, WA | $71,704 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,810 | 89.8% | 51.9% |
| #313 | Cuesta CollegePublic | San Luis Obispo, CA | $57,231 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,414 | — | — |
| #314 | Bend, OR | $71,799 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,497 | 63.1% | 55.6% | |
| #315 | Westminster, CO | $50,353 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,955 | — | 35.4% | |
| #316 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | Tacoma, WA | $63,671 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,609 | 78.0% | 68.6% |
| #317 | Graduate Theological UnionPrivate | Berkeley, CA | $59,444 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #318 | Aaniiih Nakoda CollegePublic | Harlem, MT | $35,626 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,183 | — | 34.2% |
| #319 | Dine CollegePublic | Tsaile, AZ | $44,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,332 | — | 12.6% |
| #320 | Santa Fe Springs, CA | $53,590 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,761 | — | — |
