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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #121 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $91,483 Median Earnings (4yr) | $31,537 | 61.7% | 70.1% |
| #122 | Mesa Community CollegePublic | Mesa, AZ | $68,596 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,838 | — | 15.6% |
| #123 | Honolulu, HI | $61,903 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,675 | 86.6% | 64.3% | |
| #124 | Grossmont CollegePublic | El Cajon, CA | $59,215 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,169 | — | — |
| #125 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,068 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | 46.3% | 0.0% | |
| #126 | San Francisco, CA | $60,859 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,121 | — | — | |
| #127 | Irvine Valley CollegePublic | Irvine, CA | $55,055 Median Earnings (4yr) | $734 | — | — |
| #128 | Cosumnes River CollegePublic | Sacramento, CA | $51,711 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,045 | — | — |
| #129 | Nevada State UniversityPublic | Henderson, NV | $73,626 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,438 | 86.8% | 33.6% |
| #130 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,546 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #131 | Southwestern Law SchoolPrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $111,744 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #132 | San Rafael, CA | $95,437 Median Earnings (4yr) | $24,572 | 83.5% | 78.0% | |
| #133 | Perry Technical InstitutePrivate | Yakima, WA | $63,923 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,011 | — | — |
| #134 | Henderson, NV | $106,489 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #135 | Southern Utah UniversityPublic | Cedar City, UT | $59,189 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,070 | 81.8% | 60.7% |
| #136 | Salt Lake City, UT | $55,279 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,476 | — | — | |
| #137 | Columbia Basin CollegePublic | Pasco, WA | $67,608 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,010 | — | 33.3% |
| #138 | Santa Rosa, CA | $64,933 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,275 | — | — | |
| #139 | Diablo Valley CollegePublic | Pleasant Hill, CA | $50,569 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,411 | — | — |
| #140 | Moorpark CollegePublic | Moorpark, CA | $77,599 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$4,158 | — | 43.5% |
