Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

567 Schools Ranked
$1,253 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$12,766 Avg Student Debt

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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 567 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which undergraduate certificate programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, California
3,683 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Santa Monica College to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Far Western US Region . SMC is a public institution located in Santa Monica, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,683 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SMC is $1,146. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,090. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

One thing to take note of is that SMC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#2

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California
2,495 Total Awards
$1,332 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 567 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saddleback College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Mission Viejo, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 2,495 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,332 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Saddleback College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,292. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saddleback College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#3

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California
2,256 Total Awards
$1,338 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Cuesta College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Far Western US Region . Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,256 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,338 in tuition and fees if they attend Cuesta College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,702. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Cuesta College Report

#4

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, California
2,127 Total Awards
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,276 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 567 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, East Los Angeles College landed the # 4 spot on the list. East Los Angeles College is located in Monterey Park, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,127 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Students from California who attend East Los Angeles College full time pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,012. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,276 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since East Los Angeles College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on East Los Angeles College

#5

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, California
2,103 Total Awards
$1,198 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 567 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Orange Coast College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 2,103 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,198 in tuition and fees if they attend Orange Coast College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,398. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Online courses are available at Orange Coast College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#6

Fullerton College

Fullerton, California
2,046 Total Awards
$1,154 Average Tuition & Fees

Fullerton College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Fullerton, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,046 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Students from California who attend Fullerton College full time pay an average of $1,154 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,514. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Fullerton College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

Citrus College

Glendora, California
1,960 Total Awards
$1,196 Average Tuition & Fees

Citrus College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Glendora, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,960 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,196 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Citrus College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,804. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Citrus College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Citrus College Report

#8

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, California
1,703 Total Awards
$1,556 Average Tuition & Fees

Long Beach City College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Long Beach City College is a large public school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 1,703 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,556 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Long Beach City College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,444. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Long Beach City College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Long Beach City College

#9

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, California
1,685 Total Awards
$1,430 Average Tuition & Fees

Bakersfield College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,685 students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Bakersfield College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,380. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bakersfield College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

Palomar College

San Marcos, California
1,594 Total Awards
$1,344 Average Tuition & Fees

Palomar College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,594 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Palomar College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,940. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Palomar College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
1,537 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,464 Avg Student Debt

College of the Canyons landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,537 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Canyons. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,682. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from College of the Canyons accumulate an average of $12,464 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

Online courses are available at College of the Canyons, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on College of the Canyons

#12

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
1,497 Total Awards
$1,186 Average Tuition & Fees

Golden West College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Golden West College is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington Beach, California. It awarded 1,497 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Golden West College is $1,186. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,554. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Golden West College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Golden West College Report

#13

Moorpark College

Moorpark, California
1,464 Total Awards
$1,394 Average Tuition & Fees

Moorpark College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Moorpark, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,464 students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend Moorpark College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,398. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

Online courses are available at Moorpark College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California
1,406 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Allan Hancock College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Allan Hancock College is a medium-sized public school situated in Santa Maria, California. It awarded 1,406 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Allan Hancock College is $1,146. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,842. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Allan Hancock College. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Allan Hancock College

#15

Irvine Valley College

Irvine, California
1,384 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Irvine Valley College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 1,384 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Irvine Valley College is $1,146. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,826. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Irvine Valley College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#16

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
1,312 Total Awards
$1,180 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,108 Avg Student Debt

Santa Ana College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large public school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 1,312 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SAC is $1,180. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,684. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,108 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SAC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Santa Ana College

#17

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
1,306 Total Awards
$1,232 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,383 Avg Student Debt

Santa Barbara City College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,306 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,232 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SBCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,383 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at SBCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

Cypress College

Cypress, California
1,291 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Cypress College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Cypress, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,291 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cypress College is $1,146. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,898. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Cypress College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 38% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Cypress College

#19

Ventura College

Ventura, California
1,245 Total Awards
$1,394 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Ventura College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 1,245 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ventura College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,398. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ventura College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Ventura College

#20

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California
1,196 Total Awards
$1,332 Average Tuition & Fees

Grossmont College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,196 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Students from California who attend Grossmont College full time pay an average of $1,332 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,928. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Grossmont College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Grossmont College

#21

Los Angeles Valley College

Valley Glen, California
1,045 Total Awards
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,749 Avg Student Debt

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. LAVC is located in Valley Glen, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,045 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees if they attend LAVC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,012. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from LAVC accumulate an average of $11,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

LAVC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Los Angeles Valley College

#22

Merced College

Merced, California
1,041 Total Awards
$1,180 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,067 Avg Student Debt

Merced College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Merced, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,041 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,444. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,067 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Merced College

#23

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, California
1,031 Total Awards
$1,184 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,073 Avg Student Debt

Chaffey College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,031 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Students from California who attend Chaffey College full time pay an average of $1,184 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,960. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,073 in student loans. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Chaffey College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Chaffey College Report

#24

Charter College

Vancouver, Washington
1,060 Total Awards
$16,163 Avg Student Debt

Charter College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Charter College is a small private for-profit school located in Vancouver, Washington that handed out 1,060 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,163 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Charter College. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Charter College Report

#25

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California
1,006 Total Awards
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,092 Avg Student Debt

Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Pierce College is a public institution located in Woodland Hills, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,006 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees if they attend Pierce College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,012. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,092 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Pierce College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Los Angeles Pierce College

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Unitek College

Fremont, California
#27

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
#28

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
#29

Northwest Career College

Las Vegas, Nevada
#30

Hartnell College

Salinas, California
#31

Santiago Canyon College

Orange, California
#32

Antelope Valley College

Lancaster, California
#33

American River College

Sacramento, California
#34

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, California
#35

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, California
#36

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California
#37

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, California
#38

West Los Angeles College

Culver City, California
#39

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#40

UEI College-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California
#41

Imperial Valley College

Imperial, California
#43

Institute of Technology

Clovis, California
#44

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, California
#45

American Career College - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#46

Oxnard College

Oxnard, California
#47

United Education Institute-Chula Vista

Chula Vista, California
#48

Los Angeles Trade Technical College

Los Angeles, California
#49

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#50

UEI College-Gardena

Gardena, California

View Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

Rank School Location
51 Los Medanos College Pittsburg, CA
52 Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA
53 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA
54 Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CA
55 Carrington College, Sacramento Sacramento, CA
56 American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CA
57 UEI College-Fresno Fresno, CA
58 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA
59 United Education Institute-West Covina West Covina, CA
60 UEI College-Riverside Riverside, CA
61 San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia, CA
62 Chabot College Hayward, CA
63 United Education Institute-Encino Encino, CA
64 California Technical Academy Riverside, CA
65 American Career College - Anaheim Anaheim, CA
66 Shasta College Redding, CA
67 United Education Institute-Anaheim Anaheim, CA
68 Crafton Hills College Yucaipa, CA
69 UEI College-Sacramento Sacramento, CA
70 Napa Valley College Napa, CA
71 El Camino College Torrance, CA
72 United Education Institute-Ontario Ontario, CA
73 United Education Institute-UEI College Stockton Stockton, CA
74 Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles, CA
75 United Education Institute-UEI College San Marcos San Marcos, CA
76 Berkeley City College Berkeley, CA
77 San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA
78 San Jose City College San Jose, CA
79 Contra Costa College San Pablo, CA
80 Renton Technical College Renton, WA
80 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
82 Butte College Oroville, CA
83 Portland Community College Portland, OR
84 Perry Technical Institute Yakima, WA
85 San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CA
86 Spokane Community College Spokane, WA

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:

Rank School Location
87 Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CA
88 Olympic College Bremerton, WA
89 North-West College - West Covina West Covina, CA
90 West Hills College-Coalinga Coalinga, CA
91 De Anza College Cupertino, CA
91 Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WA
93 San Diego City College San Diego, CA
94 North-West College - Riverside Riverside, CA
95 Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett Everett, WA
96 College of Alameda Alameda, CA
97 North-West College-Long Beach Long Beach, CA
98 MTI College Sacramento, CA
99 Pima Medical Institute - Renton Renton, WA
100 Institute of Technology Salem, OR
101 San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CA
102 Mission College Santa Clara, CA
103 San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CA
104 Divers Institute of Technology Seattle, WA
105 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
106 Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA
107 Southern California Health Institute Reseda, CA
108 Universal Technical Institute - Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Cucamonga, CA
109 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
110 Glendale Community College Glendale, CA
111 Summit College Colton, CA
112 Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CA
113 Sumner College Portland, OR
113 Laney College Oakland, CA

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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.