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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Santa Cruz, CA | $67,085 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,717 | 65.8% | 75.1% | |
| #42 | Long Beach City CollegePublic | Long Beach, CA | $51,407 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,505 | — | — |
| #43 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | Corvallis, OR | $71,799 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,107 | 77.3% | 70.1% |
| #44 | Bothell, WA | $82,515 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,573 | 90.6% | 65.3% | |
| #45 | Berkeley, CA | $108,517 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #46 | Pullman, WA | $73,467 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,074 | 86.6% | 60.5% | |
| #47 | Flagstaff, AZ | $60,629 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,709 | 89.6% | 61.3% | |
| #48 | Denver, CO | $74,059 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,743 | 74.7% | 46.2% | |
| #49 | Southwestern CollegePublic | Chula Vista, CA | $48,974 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,380 | — | — |
| #50 | Pasadena City CollegePublic | Pasadena, CA | $48,980 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,051 | — | — |
| #51 | Portland, OR | $62,060 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,655 | 90.9% | 52.7% | |
| #52 | Cerritos CollegePublic | Norwalk, CA | $54,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,538 | — | — |
| #53 | Torrance, CA | $60,046 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,319 | — | — | |
| #54 | Utah State UniversityPublic | Logan, UT | $63,484 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,057 | 92.5% | 59.1% |
| #55 | Seaside, CA | $62,324 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,970 | 97.4% | 59.1% | |
| #56 | Fresno City CollegePublic | Fresno, CA | $46,885 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,450 | — | 23.5% |
| #57 | Santa Monica CollegePublic | Santa Monica, CA | $46,731 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,896 | — | 36.3% |
| #58 | Merced, CA | $65,410 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,945 | 90.5% | 68.7% | |
| #59 | Boulder, CO | $76,850 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,231 | 78.1% | 74.2% | |
| #60 | Albuquerque, NM | $59,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,938 | 95.2% | 54.7% |
