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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #141 | Cheney, WA | $60,781 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,547 | 90.8% | 43.5% | |
| #142 | Hobbs, NM | $60,987 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,000 | — | — | |
| #143 | Woodland Hills, CA | $48,321 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,626 | — | — | |
| #144 | Butte CollegePublic | Oroville, CA | $51,432 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,944 | — | — |
| #145 | Las Cruces, NM | $54,874 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,475 | — | — | |
| #146 | Ellensburg, WA | $63,444 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,846 | 90.6% | 53.6% | |
| #147 | Homestead SchoolsPrivate | Torrance, CA | $66,788 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,839 | — | 93.3% |
| #148 | Chabot CollegePublic | Hayward, CA | $66,589 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,013 | — | — |
| #149 | Valley Glen, CA | $52,988 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,225 | — | 32.1% | |
| #150 | Claremont, CA | $103,151 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #151 | Golden Gate UniversityPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $115,758 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #152 | Portland, OR | $110,300 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #153 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $53,908 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,108 | — | 30.4% | |
| #154 | University Of OregonPublic | Eugene, OR | $62,174 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,909 | 88.3% | 71.7% |
| #155 | Fielding Graduate UniversityPrivate | Santa Barbara, CA | $100,937 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #156 | Citrus CollegePublic | Glendora, CA | $46,839 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,221 | — | — |
| #157 | Golden West CollegePublic | Huntington Beach, CA | $54,736 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,417 | — | — |
| #158 | College Of The DesertPublic | Palm Desert, CA | $44,605 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,872 | — | — |
| #159 | Allan Hancock CollegePublic | Santa Maria, CA | $55,202 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,970 | — | — |
| #160 | Riverside, CA | $68,600 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,298 | 84.9% | 61.9% |
