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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #521 | Carroll CollegePrivate | Helena, MT | $59,396 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,072 | 70.9% | 69.3% |
| #522 | Willamette UniversityPrivate | Salem, OR | $54,450 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,182 | 77.1% | 71.2% |
| #523 | Santa Fe, NM | $37,813 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,974 | 97.5% | 14.6% | |
| #524 | Portland Actors ConservatoryPrivate | Portland, OR | $35,116 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | 75.0% | — |
| #525 | Quincy, CA | $39,865 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,995 | — | 34.6% | |
| #526 | Cascadia CollegePublic | Bothell, WA | $50,202 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,480 | — | 32.1% |
| #527 | Providence Christian CollegePrivate | Pasadena, CA | $46,288 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,481 | 100.0% | 20.0% |
| #528 | Chief Dull Knife CollegePublic | Lame Deer, MT | $27,330 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,940 | — | — |
| #529 | Arizona Christian UniversityPrivate | Glendale, AZ | $51,181 Median Earnings (4yr) | $30,522 | 70.6% | 39.9% |
| #530 | Lewis & Clark CollegePrivate | Portland, OR | $57,262 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,962 | 78.5% | 75.4% |
| #531 | Kaneohe, HI | $41,285 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,750 | — | — | |
| #532 | St. John's CollegePrivate | Santa Fe, NM | $37,727 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,014 | 53.1% | 54.9% |
| #533 | Gunnison, CO | $50,666 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,490 | 99.7% | 50.5% | |
| #534 | El Dorado Hills, CA | $38,089 Median Earnings (4yr) | $21,249 | 40.7% | 84.8% | |
| #535 | Denver, CO | $44,783 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,557 | 100.0% | 83.3% | |
| #536 | La Sierra UniversityPrivate | Riverside, CA | $57,898 Median Earnings (4yr) | $44,988 | 91.5% | 59.7% |
| #537 | American Jewish UniversityPrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $46,625 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | 44.4% |
| #538 | Escondido, CA | $40,588 Median Earnings (4yr) | $27,029 | 79.6% | 63.9% | |
| #539 | San Francisco, CA | $50,407 Median Earnings (4yr) | $55,704 | 54.9% | 73.7% | |
| #540 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,900 Median Earnings (4yr) | $44,731 | 81.8% | 66.3% |
