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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #401 | Great Falls, MT | $48,830 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,675 | — | — | |
| #402 | Columbia College - San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $57,679 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #403 | Columbia College - ImperialPrivate | Imperial, CA | $57,679 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #404 | Moses Lake, WA | $48,868 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,060 | — | 41.5% | |
| #405 | Porterville CollegePublic | Porterville, CA | $36,940 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,113 | — | — |
| #406 | Westminster UniversityPrivate | Salt Lake City, UT | $72,401 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,972 | 66.6% | 63.8% |
| #407 | Honolulu, HI | $38,583 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,972 | — | 45.5% | |
| #408 | Astoria, OR | $48,572 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,245 | — | — | |
| #409 | Soka University Of AmericaPrivate | Aliso Viejo, CA | $53,646 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,020 | 43.4% | 91.8% |
| #410 | Spokane, WA | $44,489 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,477 | — | 32.0% | |
| #411 | Alamogordo, NM | $54,874 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,714 | — | — | |
| #412 | Lakewood, WA | $51,699 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,515 | — | 42.8% | |
| #413 | Cet-SoledadPrivate | Soledad, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,942 | — | — |
| #414 | Skagit Valley CollegePublic | Mount Vernon, WA | $48,533 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,337 | — | 36.1% |
| #415 | George Fox UniversityPrivate | Newberg, OR | $69,145 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,871 | 93.5% | 72.0% |
| #416 | La Grande, OR | $55,565 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,563 | 98.3% | 43.0% | |
| #417 | Yuba City, CA | $36,445 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,986 | — | — | |
| #418 | Walla Walla UniversityPrivate | College Place, WA | $68,868 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,675 | — | 59.9% |
| #419 | Littleton, CO | $57,589 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,588 | — | 29.1% | |
| #420 | Simpson UniversityPrivate | Redding, CA | $59,198 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,511 | 86.0% | 48.8% |
