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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #461 | Sacramento, CA | $45,986 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,430 | — | — | |
| #462 | Westmont CollegePrivate | Santa Barbara, CA | $64,044 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,899 | 77.0% | 70.3% |
| #463 | Kalispell, MT | $47,642 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,341 | — | — | |
| #464 | Rocky Mountain CollegePrivate | Billings, MT | $60,523 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,404 | 69.6% | 48.4% |
| #465 | Portland, OR | $31,660 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #466 | Santa Barbara, CA | $63,882 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #467 | Scripps CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $75,301 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,948 | 38.3% | 82.5% |
| #468 | Helena, MT | $50,913 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,709 | — | — | |
| #469 | Chico, CA | $37,404 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,261 | — | — | |
| #470 | Otero CollegePublic | La Junta, CO | $38,328 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,735 | — | — |
| #471 | Klamath Falls, OR | $43,088 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,840 | — | — | |
| #472 | Bellingham, WA | $43,628 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,814 | — | 36.4% | |
| #473 | Bethesda UniversityPrivate | Anaheim, CA | $38,703 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,747 | — | 11.1% |
| #474 | Nampa, ID | $60,040 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,732 | 64.7% | 70.8% | |
| #475 | Eugene, OR | $35,230 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,109 | 80.0% | 51.7% | |
| #476 | Eastern Arizona CollegePublic | Thatcher, AZ | $41,991 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,046 | — | 41.9% |
| #477 | Whittier CollegePrivate | Whittier, CA | $57,988 Median Earnings (4yr) | $21,718 | 80.8% | 60.0% |
| #478 | Luna Community CollegePublic | Las Vegas, NM | $38,111 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,393 | — | — |
| #479 | Los Alamos, NM | $59,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,916 | — | — | |
| #480 | Biola UniversityPrivate | La Mirada, CA | $61,363 Median Earnings (4yr) | $27,144 | 74.4% | 67.6% |
