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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #321 | Concordia University-IrvinePrivate | Irvine, CA | $83,064 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,431 | 66.0% | 58.3% |
| #322 | Costa Mesa, CA | $65,874 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,225 | 62.4% | 56.8% | |
| #323 | College Of The RedwoodsPublic | Eureka, CA | $37,636 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,940 | — | — |
| #324 | Palo Alto UniversityPrivate | Palo Alto, CA | $88,171 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #325 | Ventura CollegePublic | Ventura, CA | $51,753 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$1,913 | — | — |
| #326 | Roswell, NM | $54,827 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,982 | — | — | |
| #327 | Olympic CollegePublic | Bremerton, WA | $57,634 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,214 | — | 31.0% |
| #328 | Lewiston, ID | $58,274 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,080 | 87.7% | 40.2% | |
| #329 | Pueblo, CO | $55,898 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,374 | 94.9% | 39.7% | |
| #330 | Avondale, AZ | $50,342 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,780 | — | — | |
| #331 | The Dalles, OR | $53,750 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,398 | — | — | |
| #332 | Riverside, CA | $34,238 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,142 | — | — | |
| #333 | Everett, WA | $54,647 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,798 | — | 36.6% | |
| #334 | University Of DenverPrivate | Denver, CO | $78,504 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,097 | 77.8% | 75.6% |
| #335 | Idea At AtepPublic | Tustin, CA | $55,055 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #336 | Umpqua Community CollegePublic | Roseburg, OR | $46,257 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,704 | — | — |
| #337 | Billings, MT | $55,549 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #338 | Ontario, OR | $45,354 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,685 | — | — | |
| #339 | Los Lunas, NM | $59,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,797 | — | — | |
| #340 | Albany, OR | $48,548 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,648 | — | — |
