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Best Schools in the Far Western US Region

2023 Best Schools in the Far Western US Region

251 Schools Ranked
$50,644 Average Earnings
$27,288 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 251 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in the Far Western US Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
5,239 Total Awards
$100,827 Average Earnings

Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best school for students in the Far Western US Region . Stanford is located in Stanford, California and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 5,239 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from Stanford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $100,827 during the early years of their career.

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#2

Keck Graduate Institute

Claremont, California
352 Total Awards
$88,109 Average Earnings
$40,952 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 251 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Keck Graduate Institute landed the # 2 spot on the list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 352 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,952 in student loans.After graduating from KGI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $88,109 during the early years of their career.

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#3

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
15,913 Total Awards
$70,847 Average Earnings
$40,236 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 251 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school handed out 15,913 degrees in .

Degree recipients from UC Berkeley accumulate an average of $40,236 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UC Berkeley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,847 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
2,972 Total Awards
$79,380 Average Earnings
$76,785 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Santa Clara University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Far Western US Region . This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 2,972 degrees in .

Degree recipients from SCU accumulate an average of $76,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SCU graduates make an average of $79,380 annually.

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#5

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California
440 Total Awards
$70,531 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fielding Graduate University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Fielding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 440 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, Fielding graduates make an average of $70,531 annually.

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#7

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
617 Total Awards
$173,344 Average Earnings

California Institute of Technology landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Caltech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 617 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, Caltech graduates make an average of $173,344 annually.

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5,493 Total Awards
$61,010 Average Earnings
$38,254 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,493 students in .

On average, students take out $38,254 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,010 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
611 Total Awards
$68,239 Average Earnings

Claremont Graduate University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Claremont, California that handed out 611 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, Claremont Graduate University graduates make an average of $68,239 annually.

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#10

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
19,545 Total Awards
$75,677 Average Earnings
$62,030 Avg Student Debt

University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 19,545 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from USC accumulate an average of $62,030 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, USC graduates make an average of $75,677 annually.

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1,800 Total Awards
$61,925 Average Earnings
$36,156 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, University of Washington - Tacoma Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. This small public school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 1,800 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,156 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UW Tacoma graduates make an average of $61,925 annually.

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#12

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
15,048 Total Awards
$63,833 Average Earnings
$40,595 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large public school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 15,048 degrees in .

On average, students take out $40,595 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UCLA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,833 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
5,550 Total Awards
$80,047 Average Earnings
$20,963 Avg Student Debt

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 5,550 degrees in .

On average, students take out $20,963 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SRJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $80,047 during the early year of their career.

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15,667 Total Awards
$65,681 Average Earnings
$39,024 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school awarded 15,667 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,024 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UW Seattle graduates make an average of $65,681 annually.

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#15

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, California
1,765 Total Awards
$94,152 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #15, Foothill College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Foothill College is a fairly large public school located in Los Altos Hills, California that handed out 1,765 degrees in .

After graduating from Foothill College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $94,152 during the early years of their career.

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#16

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
8,030 Total Awards
$45,488 Average Earnings
$36,659 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large public school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 8,030 degrees in .

On average, students take out $36,659 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UCSB graduates make an average of $45,488 annually.

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#17

Canada College

Redwood City, California
634 Total Awards
$106,691 Average Earnings

Canada College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Canada College is located in Redwood City, California and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 634 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Canada College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $106,691 during the early year of their career.

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1,913 Total Awards
$65,932 Average Earnings
$35,491 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, University of Washington - Bothell Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Bothell, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,913 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $35,491 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UW Bothell graduates make an average of $65,932 annually.

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#19

Brandman University

Irvine, California
2,868 Total Awards
$65,898 Average Earnings
$10,944 Avg Student Debt

Brandman University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Brandman is located in Irvine, California and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,868 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Brandman accumulate an average of $10,944 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Brandman graduates make an average of $65,898 annually.

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#20

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, California
385 Total Awards
$44,240 Average Earnings
$63,131 Avg Student Debt

Westmont College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Westmont is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 385 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $63,131 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Westmont graduates make an average of $44,240 annually.

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#21

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
3,744 Total Awards
$68,184 Average Earnings

Santa Barbara City College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,744 diplomas to qualifed students in .

During the early years of their career, SBCC graduates make an average of $68,184 annually.

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#22

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
2,199 Total Awards
$58,733 Average Earnings
$69,490 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Gonzaga University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Gonzaga is located in Spokane, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,199 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $69,490 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gonzaga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,733 during the early years of their career.

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#23

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
3,040 Total Awards
$65,223 Average Earnings
$68,967 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, University of San Francisco did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in San Francisco, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 3,040 degrees in .

On average, students take out $68,967 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from USFCA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,223 during the early years of their career.

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#24

University of California - Davis

Davis, California
11,589 Total Awards
$53,749 Average Earnings
$36,628 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Davis did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. University of California - Davis is a large public school located in Davis, California that handed out 11,589 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,628 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UC Davis graduates make an average of $53,749 annually.

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#25

Dominican University of California

San Rafael, California
853 Total Awards
$70,752 Average Earnings
$73,029 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Dominican University of California did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. DUofC is located in San Rafael, California and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 853 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $73,029 in student loans.After graduating from DUofC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,752 during the early years of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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