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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #441 | Rangely, CO | $61,341 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,832 | — | 33.5% | |
| #442 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,652 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,302 | — | — | |
| #443 | Ashland, OR | $52,911 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,830 | 88.6% | 42.5% | |
| #444 | Antioch University-SeattlePrivate | Seattle, WA | $63,882 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #445 | Pendleton, OR | $49,347 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,374 | — | — | |
| #446 | Delta, CO | $47,355 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,785 | — | — | |
| #447 | Hawaii Community CollegePublic | Hilo, HI | $46,462 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,964 | — | — |
| #448 | Bushnell UniversityPrivate | Eugene, OR | $59,969 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,924 | 67.3% | 56.0% |
| #449 | Richfield, UT | $38,946 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #450 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | Durango, CO | $46,601 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,622 | 77.3% | 35.6% |
| #451 | Edmonds CollegePublic | Lynnwood, WA | $52,875 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,133 | — | 29.0% |
| #452 | Kauai Community CollegePublic | Lihue, HI | $49,286 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,495 | — | — |
| #453 | Dawson Community CollegePublic | Glendive, MT | $42,340 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,162 | — | — |
| #454 | Ruidoso, NM | $54,827 Median Earnings (4yr) | $736 | — | — | |
| #455 | Morgan Community CollegePublic | Fort Morgan, CO | $48,025 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,391 | — | 44.6% |
| #456 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | Pasadena, CA | $74,009 Median Earnings (4yr) | $39,645 | 74.5% | 79.2% |
| #457 | Kahului, HI | $51,461 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,386 | — | 27.8% | |
| #458 | Honolulu, HI | $59,437 Median Earnings (4yr) | $31,589 | 91.4% | 55.4% | |
| #459 | University Of The SouthwestPrivate | Hobbs, NM | $51,952 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,384 | — | 17.0% |
| #460 | Ottawa University-SurprisePrivate | Surprise, AZ | $62,228 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,636 | 78.1% | 18.2% |
