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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Glendale, AZ | $76,750 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,512 | — | 16.0% | |
| #62 | Shasta CollegePublic | Redding, CA | $71,612 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,107 | — | 23.3% |
| #63 | Portland, OR | $55,238 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,937 | — | — | |
| #64 | Riverside City CollegePublic | Riverside, CA | $49,751 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,931 | — | — |
| #65 | Contra Costa CollegePublic | San Pablo, CA | $95,545 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,523 | — | — |
| #66 | Modesto Junior CollegePublic | Modesto, CA | $46,619 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,658 | — | 29.6% |
| #67 | Lancaster, CA | $46,723 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,012 | — | 34.4% | |
| #68 | Bakersfield CollegePublic | Bakersfield, CA | $51,238 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,493 | — | 20.7% |
| #69 | Glendale, CA | $49,295 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,902 | — | — | |
| #70 | Camarillo, CA | $59,304 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,857 | 94.8% | 51.3% | |
| #71 | Denver, CO | $60,186 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,481 | 98.8% | 31.5% | |
| #72 | University Of The PacificPrivate | Stockton, CA | $81,820 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,004 | 71.3% | 69.0% |
| #73 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $137,100 Median Earnings (4yr) | $27,979 | 12.7% | 91.9% |
| #74 | Fort Collins, CO | $67,911 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,259 | 88.5% | 66.5% | |
| #75 | Chaffey CollegePublic | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $46,799 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,529 | — | — |
| #76 | Weber State UniversityPublic | Ogden, UT | $69,883 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,796 | — | 46.2% |
| #77 | East Los Angeles CollegePublic | Monterey Park, CA | $49,823 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,536 | — | — |
| #78 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,546 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,849 | 73.1% | 53.3% | |
| #79 | Rio Hondo CollegePublic | Whittier, CA | $55,379 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,549 | — | 24.5% |
| #80 | Pima Community CollegePublic | Tucson, AZ | $50,345 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,605 | — | — |
