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2026 Best Best Schools in the Far Western Region

2 Colleges in the United States
441 Best Degrees Awarded
$63,469 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Best 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 best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Leading the list is University Of San Francisco, our #1 school for best. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. About 18 best degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $65,223 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of San Francisco

2

University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 208 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Southern California

3

University Of The Pacific is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of The Pacific

4

Saint Marys College Of California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 best students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Saint Marys College Of California

5

A rank of #5 makes George Fox University one of the top schools for best. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. George Fox University graduates 72% of students within six years. George Fox University awarded about 19 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for George Fox University

6

University Of San Diego landed the #6 spot for best this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of San Diego

7

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #7 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Nevada Reno

8

Portland State University earned the #8 position for best this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Portland State University earn around $47,717 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Portland State University

9

Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 18 best students who graduated with this degree at Golden Gate University San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $88,638 in their early career. Golden Gate University San Francisco graduates carry a median of $33,968 in student loans. Get the full best details for Golden Gate University San Francisco

10

California Institute Of Arts And Technology came in at #10 for best this year. California Institute Of Arts And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of National City. California Institute Of Arts And Technology awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $48,778 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,696 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for California Institute Of Arts And Technology

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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