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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Sacramento City CollegePublic | Sacramento, CA | $52,366 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,739 | — | — |
| #102 | Evergreen Valley CollegePublic | San Jose, CA | $74,506 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,410 | — | — |
| #103 | Cypress CollegePublic | Cypress, CA | $57,854 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,419 | — | 37.3% |
| #104 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | Golden, CO | $100,252 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,849 | 60.7% | 81.7% |
| #105 | Santa Ana CollegePublic | Santa Ana, CA | $63,039 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,970 | — | 30.9% |
| #106 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | Santa Clara, CA | $108,517 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,985 | 48.0% | 87.9% |
| #107 | Stockton, CA | $49,494 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,291 | — | — | |
| #108 | Fullerton, CA | $126,610 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #109 | Socorro, NM | $85,232 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,136 | 44.5% | 57.0% | |
| #110 | Albuquerque, NM | $48,652 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,975 | — | — | |
| #111 | Victor Valley CollegePublic | Victorville, CA | $44,779 Median Earnings (4yr) | $0 | — | — |
| #112 | Las Cruces, NM | $54,874 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,648 | 89.0% | 55.2% | |
| #113 | Heritage UniversityPrivate | Toppenish, WA | $62,898 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,114 | — | 53.7% |
| #114 | Klamath Falls, OR | $87,138 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,085 | 95.0% | 53.8% | |
| #115 | Yuba CollegePublic | Marysville, CA | $63,022 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,766 | — | — |
| #116 | Los Medanos CollegePublic | Pittsburg, CA | $59,523 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,958 | — | — |
| #117 | Orange Coast CollegePublic | Costa Mesa, CA | $49,927 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,562 | — | — |
| #118 | Vallejo, CA | $108,757 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,552 | 95.0% | 59.7% | |
| #119 | College Of The CanyonsPublic | Santa Clarita, CA | $64,248 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,522 | — | — |
| #120 | Arizona Western CollegePublic | Yuma, AZ | $48,286 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,405 | — | — |
