by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in the Far Western Region, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked 732 programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated graduate schools across over 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 graduate school for you depends on what you want to study. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Early-career graduates earn a median of $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete a degree here.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in the Far Western Region. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,847. University Of California Berkeley students take on a median of $14,238 in debt.
Santa Clara University came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in the Far Western Region. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $79,380. The median student debt is $20,144.
Out of the 732 graduate schools in the Far Western Region in this year's ranking, University Of Southern California landed the #4 spot. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,677. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
Out of the 732 graduate schools in the Far Western Region in this year's ranking, San Jose State University landed the #5 spot. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $61,010. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete a degree here.
Roseman University Of Health Sciences ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henderson, NV. Students from in state pay about $44,900 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $108,809. Students borrow a median of $27,448 to complete a degree here.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. 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 ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,138 in tuition and fees. Samuel Merritt University graduates report median early-career earnings of $110,791. 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. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,681. Typical student debt is $16,481.
University Of California Davis came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,749. Typical student debt is $14,404.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,488. The median student debt is $15,501.
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,797. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete a degree here.
Loma Linda University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Median early-career earnings reach $93,833. The median student debt is $25,094.
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Median early-career earnings reach $50,958. The median student debt is $16,539.
California Institute Of Technology landed the #16 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Based 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Median early-career earnings reach $173,344.
Chapman University placed #17 among the best graduate schools in the Far Western Region. Set in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete a degree here.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,935. Typical student debt is $22,248.
Pepperdine University landed the #19 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Based in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Pepperdine University graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,582. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete a degree here.
Claremont Mckenna College placed #20 among the best graduate schools in the Far Western Region. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,980 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,028. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Oregon Health And Science University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Portland, OR, Oregon Health And Science University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,306, while out-of-state students pay about $37,338. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $126,454. Oregon Health And Science University students take on a median of $32,059 in debt.
Harvey Mudd College landed the #22 spot in the Far Western Region this year. Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Harvey Mudd College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Harvey Mudd College graduates report median early-career earnings of $130,443. The median student debt is $22,730.
University Of San Diego ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $68,281. University Of San Diego students take on a median of $23,795 in debt.
Gonzaga University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,733 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete a degree here.
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #25 position. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,223 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans.
These graduate schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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.
