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2026 Best Best Schools in the Far Western Region

4 Colleges in the United States
402 Best Degrees Awarded
$55,327 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Best in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for best. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 36 best students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the best program at San Jose State University

2
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

A rank of #2 makes Grossmont College one of the top schools for best. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. About 48 best degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. Read more about the best program at Grossmont College

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for best. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 16 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of California Davis earn around $65,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404. See the full best program report for University Of California Davis

4

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 20 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $66,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from California State University Los Angeles

5

Green River Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 20 best degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in best from Green River Community College

6
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College landed the #6 spot for best this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 69 best degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $33,595 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. See the full best program report for East Los Angeles College

7
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. About 22 best degrees were awarded at Moreno Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Moreno Valley College

8
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #8 for best this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. National University awarded about 94 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from National University earn around $50,462 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for National University

9

Chaminade University Of Honolulu placed #9 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 best degrees were awarded at Chaminade University Of Honolulu in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Chaminade University Of Honolulu generally make around $48,383. Chaminade University Of Honolulu graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Chaminade University Of Honolulu

10
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College placed #10 among the best best schools. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. Rio Hondo College awarded about 17 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Rio Hondo College

11
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #11 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach City College awarded about 22 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Long Beach City College

12

Riverside City College landed the #12 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Riverside City College

13
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Norco College awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Norco College graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Norco College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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