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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #81 | San Francisco, CA | $138,968 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #82 | Pomona, CA | $142,369 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #83 | Glendale, AZ | $129,232 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #84 | San Francisco, CA | $151,742 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #85 | Yakima, WA | $177,747 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #86 | Claremont Mckenna CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $110,798 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,308 | 9.6% | 91.4% |
| #87 | Fullerton CollegePublic | Fullerton, CA | $52,754 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,944 | — | — |
| #88 | Merced CollegePublic | Merced, CA | $51,136 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,155 | — | — |
| #89 | College Of The SequoiasPublic | Visalia, CA | $44,147 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$537 | — | — |
| #90 | Touro University CaliforniaPrivate | Vallejo, CA | $122,145 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #91 | Oakland, CA | $101,903 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,161 | 16.7% | — | |
| #92 | San Jacinto, CA | $43,983 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,012 | — | — | |
| #93 | Hartnell CollegePublic | Salinas, CA | $51,928 Median Earnings (4yr) | $828 | — | — |
| #94 | University Of ProvidencePrivate | Great Falls, MT | $88,535 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,257 | 50.3% | 27.9% |
| #95 | De Anza CollegePublic | Cupertino, CA | $60,322 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,887 | — | — |
| #96 | Imperial Valley CollegePublic | Imperial, CA | $41,236 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,112 | — | — |
| #97 | Samuel Merritt UniversityPrivate | Oakland, CA | $148,182 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #98 | Reno, NV | $67,498 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,674 | 73.7% | 61.2% | |
| #99 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $65,997 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,310 | 93.4% | 57.6% |
| #100 | Pomona CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $77,544 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,841 | 7.1% | 93.2% |
