50 Best Colleges on the West Coast

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50 best colleges on the West Coast

With thousands of colleges and universities in the United States, narrowing down the field can seem impossible for prospective students. The West Coast alone has a bevy of highly rated state schools and excellent private universities, ranging in student-body size from a few hundred to tens of thousands.

Stacker rounded up the top 50 schools on the West Coast, based on Niche's 2021 Best Colleges in America list (updated February 2021). These institutions in Oregon, Washington, and California are ranked based on rigorous analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education; categories examined include academics, admissions, financial costs, student life, and other factors.

Whether you dream of spending the next four years lolling on a Southern California beach, spending weekends in trendy Seattle, or exploring nature around Portland, this list will provide a wealth of options. You can pick your best fit based on categories like location, net price, and median earnings range. College search: handled.

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#50. William Jessup University

- Location: Rocklin, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,030
- Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Six-year median earnings: $37,300
- Two-year employment rate: 88%
- Overall rank: #336

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Brenda Rocha/Blossom // Shutterstock

#49. University of La Verne

- Location: La Verne, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,744
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 55%
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Six-year median earnings: $49,200
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #334

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#48. Westmont College

- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,266
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Six-year median earnings: $51,400
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #327

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Spatms // Wikimedia Commons

#47. California State University, Fullerton

- Location: Fullerton, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,936
- Student to faculty ratio: 1:1
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Six-year median earnings: $47,200
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #323

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#46. DigiPen Institute of Technology

- Location: Redmond, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 831
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Graduation rate: 56%
- Six-year median earnings: $80,200
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #321

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M.O. Stevens // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Willamette University

- Location: Salem, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,759
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Six-year median earnings: $51,100
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #315

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#44. University of Puget Sound

- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,348
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Six-year median earnings: $52,700
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #313

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Calvin Marquess // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Seattle University

- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,469
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Six-year median earnings: $56,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #309

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Pacific Lutheran University

- Location: Tacoma, Wa
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,730
- Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance rate: 86%
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Six-year median earnings: $49,400
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #300

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Casey Marshall // Flickr

#41. University of California, Santa Cruz

- Location: Santa Cruz, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 17,255
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Six-year median earnings: $46,900
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #298

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Seattle Pacific University

- Location: Seattle, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,781
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Graduation rate: 68%
- Six-year median earnings: $49,100
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #296

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Mojoismog // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Whitworth University

- Location: Spokane, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,304
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Six-year median earnings: $42,100
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
- Overall rank: #280

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Amerique // Wikimedia Commons

#38. University of California, Riverside

- Location: Riverside, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 20,210
- Student to faculty ratio: 23:1
- Acceptance rate: 57%
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Six-year median earnings: $49,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #275

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#37. The Master's University

- Location: Santa Clarita, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 953
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 67%
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Six-year median earnings: $41,700
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #270

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#36. Biola University

- Location: La Mirada, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,779
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Six-year median earnings: $44,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #235

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Visitor7 // Wikimedia Commons

#35. University of Oregon

- Location: Eugene, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 17,550
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Six-year median earnings: $44,800
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #225

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Gregkeene // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Oregon State University

- Location: Corvallis, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,591
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Six-year median earnings: $49,600
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #221

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#33. University of the Pacific

- Location: Stockton, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,584
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Graduation rate: 71%
- Six-year median earnings: $71,700
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
- Overall rank: #220

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Sprachcaffe Düsseldorf // Flickr

#32. San Diego State University

- Location: San Diego, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,453
- Student to faculty ratio: 27:1
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Six-year median earnings: $51,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #218

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Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#31. University of San Francisco

- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,435
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 64%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Six-year median earnings: $62,300
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #209

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SCUMATT // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Gonzaga University

- Location: Spokane, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 5,237
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Six-year median earnings: $56,100
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #205

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Carpenter Center // Wikimedia Commons

#29. California State University, Long Beach

- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,617
- Student to faculty ratio: 23:1
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Six-year median earnings: $48,100
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #194

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#28. Point Loma Nazarene University

- Location: San Diego, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,595
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 74%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Six-year median earnings: $50,900
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #192

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Otebig // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Lewis & Clark College

- Location: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,058
- Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Six-year median earnings: $46,200
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #185

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Umptanum // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Washington State University

- Location: Pullman, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 22,877
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 76%
- Graduation rate: 60%
- Six-year median earnings: $50,600
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #178

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M.O. Stevens // Wikimedia Commons

#25. University of Portland

- Location: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,702
- Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Six-year median earnings: $58,800
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #174

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Tom Arthur // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Chapman University

- Location: Orange, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,785
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 56%
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Six-year median earnings: $54,500
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #169

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Indefiarch // Wikimedia Commons

#23. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo

- Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 20,333
- Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
- Acceptance rate: 28%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Six-year median earnings: $66,900
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #141

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Ckbee // Wikimedia Commons

#22. University of San Diego

- Location: San Diego, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 5,678
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Six-year median earnings: $60,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #133

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Wolffystyle // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Pepperdine University

- Location: Malibu, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,336
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Six-year median earnings: $65,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #129

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Mishigaki // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Loyola Marymount University

- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,466
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 44%
- Graduation rate: 80%
- Six-year median earnings: $61,300
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
- Overall rank: #125

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Adamsofen // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Whitman College

- Location: Walla Walla, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,436
- Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
- Acceptance rate: 56%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Six-year median earnings: $51,300
- Two-year employment rate: 86%
- Overall rank: #114

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Jeffrey Beall // Flickr

#18. Occidental College

- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,907
- Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Six-year median earnings: $50,600
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #113

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Vince Smith // Flickr

#17. University of California, San Diego

- Location: La Jolla, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,491
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Six-year median earnings: $59,900
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #106

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#16. University of California, Davis

- Location: Davis, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,967
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Six-year median earnings: $58,200
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #104

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Lauriealosh // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Pitzer College

- Location: Claremont, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,050
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Six-year median earnings: $48,700
- Two-year employment rate: 86%
- Overall rank: #102

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Allyunion // Wikimedia Commons

#14. University of California, Irvine

- Location: Irvine, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,251
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 27%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
- Overall rank: #100

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Cody Logan // Wikimedia Commons

#13. University of Washington

- Location: Seattle, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,496
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 52%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Six-year median earnings: $57,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #93

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Sdkb // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Scripps College

- Location: Claremont, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,046
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Six-year median earnings: $54,100
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
- Overall rank: #85

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#11. University of California, Santa Barbara

- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 22,601
- Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Six-year median earnings: $55,300
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #84

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Arnaudh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Santa Clara University

- Location: Santa Clara, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 5,440
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Six-year median earnings: $72,600
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #83

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Visitor7 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Reed College

- Location: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,453
- Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Six-year median earnings: $42,200
- Two-year employment rate: 88%
- Overall rank: #81

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Falcorian // Wikimedia Commons

#8. University of California, Berkeley

- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,570
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 16%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Six-year median earnings: $64,700
- Two-year employment rate: 88%
- Overall rank: #46

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#7. Claremont McKenna College

- Location: Claremont, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,321
- Student to faculty ratio: 8:1
- Acceptance rate: 10%
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Six-year median earnings: $72,900
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #39

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Imagine // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Harvey Mudd College

- Location: Claremont, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 887
- Student to faculty ratio: 8:1
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Six-year median earnings: $88,800
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #28

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#5. University of California, Los Angeles

- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 31,009
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 12%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Six-year median earnings: $60,700
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #24

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Nostalgicwisdom // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Pomona College

- Location: Claremont, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,559
- Student to faculty ratio: 7:1
- Acceptance rate: 7%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Six-year median earnings: $58,100
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
- Overall rank: #20

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Brion VIBBER // Wikimedia Commons

#3. University of Southern California

- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 19,194
- Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Six-year median earnings: $74,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #19

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Kevin Stanchfield // Flickr

#2. California Institute of Technology

- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 948
- Student to faculty ratio: 3:1
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Six-year median earnings: $85,900
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #8

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#1. Stanford University

- Location: Stanford, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 7,087
- Student to faculty ratio: 5:1
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Six-year median earnings: $94,000
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #3

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