2023 Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 861 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Southern California to be the most popular school for students in the Far Western US Region . USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 17,749 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $489, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,044 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15,234 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,284 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW Seattle, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,782 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Out of the 861 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. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 14,685 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $323, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Berkeley graduates make an average of $60,587 annually. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 861 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the # 4 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 14,587 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,277 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $278. During the early years of their career, UCLA graduates make an average of $53,838 annually. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of California - Irvine helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Far Western US Region . Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 12,345 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,722 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Irvine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,120 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large public school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 11,974 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCSD accumulate an average of $17,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. Once they receive their degree, UCSD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,251 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
University of California - Davis ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 11,996 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,449 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Davis, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,065 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school handed out 11,652 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,931 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cal State Fullerton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,875 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11,443 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,166 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUN graduates make an average of $44,924 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 11,061 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CSULB accumulate an average of $17,702 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CSULB graduates make an average of $45,445 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
San Diego State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 10,590 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,150 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251. Once they receive their degree, SDSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,826 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
San Jose State University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 10,298 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, San Jose State graduates make an average of $52,886 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, the large public school awarded 8,734 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,924 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Sac State graduates make an average of $45,098 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Washington State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 8,678 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,489 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $49,774 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Pasadena City College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,463 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Pasadena City College accumulate an average of $11,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Pasadena City College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,432 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Oregon State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, the large public school awarded 8,500 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,738 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $417, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Oregon State graduates make an average of $43,202 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Santa Monica College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. SMC is a public institution located in Santa Monica, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,388 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,428 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,951 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in San Francisco, California, the large public school awarded 7,889 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,529 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SFSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,645 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #20, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,875 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UCSB accumulate an average of $16,986 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $287. Once they receive their degree, UCSB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,268 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Portland State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Portland, Oregon, the large public school handed out 7,733 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,191 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $319, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Portland State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,075 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
University of California - Riverside landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,355 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCR accumulate an average of $18,387 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $150 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCR, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,967 during the early years of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, East Los Angeles College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,266 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from East Los Angeles College accumulate an average of $12,276 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, East Los Angeles College graduates make an average of $35,172 annually. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,062 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,712 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Cal State LA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,734 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Pomona, California, the large public school awarded 6,998 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cal Poly Pomona accumulate an average of $18,789 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $171, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal Poly Pomona graduates make an average of $45,201 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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