College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Far Western Region

7 Colleges in the United States
302 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$80,045 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their higher education/higher education administration programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for higher education/higher education administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for higher education/higher education administration. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 63 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $90,290. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Southern California

2

California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 41 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $96,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at California State University Fullerton

3

San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for San Jose State University

4

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. About 32 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $70,901 in their early career. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences

5

California State University Northridge is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 17 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $84,058. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for California State University Northridge

6

California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $113,758 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from California State University Fresno

7
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University earned the #7 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. National University awarded about 15 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of National University earn a median of $94,937 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from National University

8
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University earned the #8 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 17 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $60,593. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Seattle University

9

California Baptist University placed #9 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 11 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $62,436 in their early career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from California Baptist University

10

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $69,469 in their early career. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas

11

Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earned the #11 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses awarded about 54 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earn a median of $80,195 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $42,366. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses

12

Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 13 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $57,547 in their early career. Portland State University graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Portland State University

Narrow Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools by State

View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options