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Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

2023 Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

84 Schools Ranked

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.

The Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 84 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which graduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California
121 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Fielding Graduate University the best school in the Far Western US Region for students working on their graduate certificate. Fielding is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 121 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Fielding does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

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#2

Presidio Graduate School

San Francisco, California
8 Total Awards
$33,990 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Presidio Graduate School is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Presidio Graduate School is a very small private not-for-profit school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 8 graduate certificates in .

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#3

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
24 Total Awards

Out of the 84 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Clara University landed the # 3 spot on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 24 graduate certificates in .

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at SCU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 13% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

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#4

Keck Graduate Institute

Claremont, California
137 Total Awards

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Keck Graduate Institute helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Far Western US Region . Claremont, California is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 137 students in .

One thing to take note of is that KGI does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

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13 Total Awards
$18,633 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 13 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Online graduate courses are available at UW Seattle, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 15% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

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#6

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
114 Total Awards
$37,150 Average Tuition & Fees

Claremont Graduate University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Claremont, California that handed out 114 graduate certificates in .

Claremont Graduate University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 52% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

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#8

Stanford University

Stanford, California
3 Total Awards
$59,499 Average Tuition & Fees

Stanford University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 3 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Stanford does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 8% took at least some of their classes online.

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#9

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
114 Total Awards
$20,850 Average Tuition & Fees

Seattle Pacific University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 114 students in .

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SPU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2022-2023 about 51% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#10

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
2 Total Awards
$9,168 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - San Marcos came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 2 students in .

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at CSUSM. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

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#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
91 Total Awards
$15,261 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 91 graduate certificates in .

UC Berkeley does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2022-2023 about 23% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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$12,509 Average Tuition & Fees

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list.

One thing to take note of is that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 14% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

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#13

Brandman University

Irvine, California
103 Total Awards
$13,282 Average Tuition & Fees

Brandman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Brandman is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 graduate certificates in .

Since the graduate programs at Brandman are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

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#14

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, California
23 Total Awards

Saint Mary’s College of California landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best graduate certificate programs. SMC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moraga, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 graduate certificates in .

Online graduate courses are available at SMC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 6% took at least some of their classes online.

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#15

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
842 Total Awards
$14,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best graduate certificate programs. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 842 graduate certificates in .

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Wazzu does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2022-2023 year, about 28% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
1,283 Total Awards
$68,128 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 1,283 students in .

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since USC does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2022-2023 about 50% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#17

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
137 Total Awards
$14,275 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Irvine came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 137 graduate certificates in .

UC Irvine does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2022-2023 year, about 69% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of California - Irvine Report

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#18

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington
11 Total Awards

Heritage University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best graduate certificate programs. Heritage University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Toppenish, Washington. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 11 graduate certificates in .

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Heritage University. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

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#19

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
$17,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best graduate certificate programs.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Golden Gate University - San Francisco. In fact, around 55% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

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#20

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
119 Total Awards
$21,902 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 119 graduate certificates in .

Loyola Marymount does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2022-2023 about 41% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#21

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
27 Total Awards
$25,072 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, University of Redlands did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Redlands, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 graduate certificate awards in .

University of Redlands does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2022-2023 year, about 35% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Redlands Report

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#22

National University

San Diego, California
56 Total Awards

National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 56 graduate certificates in .

Online graduate courses are available at National University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 72% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

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#23

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington
8 Total Awards

Whitworth University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 8 graduate certificates in .

Online graduate courses are available at Whitworth, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 34% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

Full Whitworth University Report

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#24

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
202 Total Awards
$15,795 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #24, Seattle University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Seattle, Washington, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 202 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in .

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Seattle U. During the 2022-2023 year, about 22% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Seattle University Report

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#25

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
95 Total Awards
$9,426 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jose State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Jose State University is a large public school located in San Jose, California that handed out 95 graduate certificates in .

Online graduate courses are available at San Jose State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 70% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

Full San Jose State University Report

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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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