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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #341 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | Seattle, WA | $70,115 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,735 | 83.4% | 62.0% |
| #342 | West Valley CollegePublic | Saratoga, CA | $51,402 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,658 | — | — |
| #343 | Santa Fe, NM | $53,855 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,145 | — | — | |
| #344 | Seattle, WA | $61,196 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #345 | Cet-ColtonPrivate | Colton, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,011 | — | — |
| #346 | Hayward, CA | $53,374 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #347 | Great Basin CollegePublic | Elko, NV | $57,602 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,967 | — | 40.9% |
| #348 | Norco CollegePublic | Norco, CA | $42,707 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,600 | — | — |
| #349 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,185 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,300 | 58.2% | 11.9% | |
| #350 | Kapolei, HI | $53,969 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,674 | 95.3% | 49.5% | |
| #351 | Spokane, WA | $60,707 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,645 | — | — | |
| #352 | Beaumont Adult SchoolPublic | Beaumont, CA | $58,318 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,990 | — | — |
| #353 | North Idaho CollegePublic | Coeur D'alene, ID | $50,312 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,775 | — | — |
| #354 | Cet-CoachellaPrivate | Coachella, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,500 | — | — |
| #355 | Cet-San JosePrivate | San Jose, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,088 | — | — |
| #356 | Bend, OR | $50,974 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,888 | — | — | |
| #357 | Olympia, WA | $50,185 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,757 | — | 43.7% | |
| #358 | Cbd CollegePrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $54,889 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,935 | — | 82.1% |
| #359 | Gresham, OR | $52,184 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,800 | — | 23.7% | |
| #360 | Honolulu, HI | $51,544 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,068 | — | — |
