by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in the Far Western Region, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **362** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 362 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The best college for you depends on what you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our tool College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the Far Western Region. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Median early-career earnings reach $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top colleges in the Far Western Region. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $70,847. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans.
Out of the 362 colleges in the Far Western Region in this year's ranking, Santa Clara University landed the #3 spot. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Santa Clara University graduates report median early-career earnings of $79,380. Typical student debt is $20,144.
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the Far Western Region. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,677. Typical student debt is $15,625.
Out of the 362 colleges in the Far Western Region in this year's ranking, San Jose State University landed the #5 spot. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,010. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete a degree here.
Roseman University Of Health Sciences came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Henderson, NV, Roseman University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,900 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $108,809. Typical student debt is $27,448.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete a degree here.
Samuel Merritt University landed the #9 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Based in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,138. Graduates go on to earn a median of $110,791 early in their careers. Samuel Merritt University students take on a median of $25,000 in debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $65,681. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete a degree here.
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,749. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,501.
University Of California San Diego placed #13 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,797. Graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
Loma Linda University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,960. Median early-career earnings reach $93,833. Loma Linda University students take on a median of $25,094 in debt.
University Of California Irvine came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. University Of California Irvine graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,958. University Of California Irvine students take on a median of $16,539 in debt.
California Institute Of Technology placed #16 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. Located in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $173,344.
Chapman University placed #17 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. Based in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,984. Chapman University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,947. Typical student debt is $21,657.
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Loyola Marymount University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,935. Loyola Marymount University students take on a median of $22,248 in debt.
Pepperdine University placed #19 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Malibu, CA. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $57,582. The median student debt is $23,645.
Claremont Mckenna College placed #20 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $67,980 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,028. Claremont Mckenna College students take on a median of $12,000 in debt.
Oregon Health And Science University placed #21 among the best colleges in the Far Western Region. Based in Portland, OR, Oregon Health And Science University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,306, while out-of-state students pay about $37,338. Early-career graduates earn a median of $126,454. The median student debt is $32,059.
Harvey Mudd College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Harvey Mudd College graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,613. Early-career graduates earn a median of $130,443. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete a degree here.
University Of San Diego landed the #23 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Located in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Early-career graduates earn a median of $68,281. Typical student debt is $23,795.
Gonzaga University did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Median early-career earnings reach $58,733. The median student debt is $25,188.
University Of San Francisco landed the #25 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,522. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,223. Graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans.
Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
Click any college name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Scripps College | Claremont, CA |
| 52 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA |
| 53 | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA |
| 54 | Claremont Graduate University | Claremont, CA |
These schools also stood out this year:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Touro University California | Vallejo, CA |
| 56 | University Of California San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 57 | Palo Alto University | Palo Alto, CA |
| 58 | Concordia University Irvine | Irvine, CA |
| 59 | University Of California Riverside | Riverside, CA |
| 60 | Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA |
| 61 | Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health | Los Angeles, CA |
| 62 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA |
| 63 | University Of Oregon | Eugene, OR |
| 64 | Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 65 | University Of Redlands | Redlands, CA |
| 66 | Western University Of Health Sciences | Pomona, CA |
| 67 | California State University Stanislaus | Turlock, CA |
| 68 | California State University Northridge | Northridge, CA |
| 69 | Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Whitman College | Walla Walla, WA |
| 71 | California State University San Marcos | San Marcos, CA |
| 72 | California State University Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
