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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #421 | Scottsdale, AZ | $53,858 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,138 | — | 17.3% | |
| #422 | Pitzer CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $69,786 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,535 | 25.2% | 83.4% |
| #423 | Grants, NM | $54,874 Median Earnings (4yr) | $248 | — | — | |
| #424 | Glenwood Springs, CO | $55,406 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,190 | — | 27.4% | |
| #425 | Ventura, CA | $42,327 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,761 | — | — | |
| #426 | Renton Technical CollegePublic | Renton, WA | $56,466 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,034 | — | 45.9% |
| #427 | Grays Harbor CollegePublic | Aberdeen, WA | $46,936 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,988 | — | 39.5% |
| #428 | Western Nevada CollegePublic | Carson City, NV | $50,403 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,678 | — | 41.0% |
| #429 | Reed CollegePrivate | Portland, OR | $44,518 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,674 | 24.6% | 71.5% |
| #430 | Downey Adult SchoolPublic | Downey, CA | $39,366 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,340 | — | — |
| #431 | Whitworth UniversityPrivate | Spokane, WA | $61,291 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,788 | 28.6% | 70.9% |
| #432 | Baldwin Park, CA | $38,116 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,258 | — | — | |
| #433 | Columbia CollegePublic | Sonora, CA | $45,420 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,095 | — | — |
| #434 | Pearl City, HI | $43,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,156 | — | — | |
| #435 | Monterey, CA | $71,188 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #436 | San Diego, CA | $72,880 Median Earnings (4yr) | $30,999 | 83.7% | 77.2% | |
| #437 | Snow CollegePublic | Ephraim, UT | $38,946 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,672 | — | 45.8% |
| #438 | San Francisco, CA | $52,742 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #439 | Occidental CollegePrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $68,467 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,705 | 44.2% | 80.9% |
| #440 | Northcentral UniversityPrivate | San Diego, CA | $75,912 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
