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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #501 | Logan, UT | $42,070 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,338 | — | — | |
| #502 | Sterling, CO | $47,153 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,206 | — | — | |
| #503 | South Seattle CollegePublic | Seattle, WA | $50,142 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,744 | — | 31.4% |
| #504 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | Santa Paula, CA | $49,755 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,761 | 83.1% | 84.3% |
| #505 | Northwest CollegePublic | Powell, WY | $41,536 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,390 | — | 48.7% |
| #506 | Dixie Technical CollegePublic | Saint George, UT | $46,064 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #507 | Central Wyoming CollegePublic | Riverton, WY | $43,068 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,698 | — | 37.4% |
| #508 | Nazarene Bible CollegePrivate | Colorado Springs, CO | $50,282 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #509 | Seattle, WA | $43,687 Median Earnings (4yr) | $29,494 | 41.6% | — | |
| #510 | Dillon, MT | $44,338 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,822 | 99.8% | 51.2% | |
| #511 | Cet-San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,198 | — | — |
| #512 | Roosevelt, UT | $64,652 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #513 | Olympia, WA | $44,424 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,079 | 96.4% | 40.7% | |
| #514 | Hawaii Pacific UniversityPrivate | Honolulu, HI | $58,128 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,758 | 85.9% | 34.9% |
| #515 | La Puente, CA | $31,434 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,568 | 100.0% | — | |
| #516 | Eastern Wyoming CollegePublic | Torrington, WY | $38,259 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,260 | — | — |
| #517 | Tooele Technical CollegePublic | Tooele, UT | $51,524 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #518 | Chandler, AZ | $31,024 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,703 | — | 87.5% | |
| #519 | William Jessup UniversityPrivate | Rocklin, CA | $55,374 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,123 | 93.3% | 56.0% |
| #520 | Ces CollegePrivate | Burbank, CA | $35,255 Median Earnings (4yr) | $30,051 | 68.0% | — |
