The Consensus Best Colleges and Universities in the West applies the College Consensus methodology to ranking the best higher education institutions in the Western United States. Compiling the most reliable published rankings and legitimate student reviews, College Consensus gives students a comprehensive picture of the top colleges.
The Western US is home to some of the greatest research universities, public university systems, and private institutions in the world. It’s their colleges and universities that do so much of the heavy lifting in higher education, training a workforce and educating professionals where they are. Our ranking of the Best Colleges and Universities in the West recognizes the top schools offering undergraduate and graduate programs to the region.
How Do We Rank the Best Colleges in the West?
College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Best Colleges & Universities in the West category is limited to schools in AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, HI, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY.
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What’s Different About the College Consensus Ranking?
There’s never been a college ranking quite like the College Consensus, simply because no one has built a ranking on all other reputable rankings before. By taking the long view, College Consensus can become an invaluable part of a prospective college student’s research process. We eliminate methodological bias by cutting to the chase – what are the numbers, all the numbers, and how do colleges measure up with all rankings and reviews combined? There’s nowhere to hide and no way to game the system with College Consensus.
The Best Colleges & Universities in the West are listed in descending order by their Consensus score.
1
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
2
Private: Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
3
Private: University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
4
Private: California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
5
Pomona College
Claremont, CA
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6
Private: University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
7
Private: University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
8
Private: University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
9
Private: Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
10
Private: University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
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11
Private: California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA
12
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
13
Private: University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
14
Private: University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
15
Private: Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
16
Private: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
17
Private: California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA
18
Private: University of California-Merced
Merced, CA
19
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
20
Private: Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
21
Private: California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
22
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
23
Private: Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO
24
Private: California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
25
Private: California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
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26
Private: The College of Idaho
Caldwell, ID
27
Private: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
28
Private: University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA
29
Private: California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
30
Private: University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA
31
Private: Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA
32
Private: Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO
33
Private: California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA
34
Private: Willamette University
Salem, OR
35
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA
36
Private: University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
37
Private: Reed College
Portland, OR
38
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
39
Private: California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
40
Private: Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA
41
Private: California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
42
Private: Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA
43
Private: Westminster College (UT)
Salt Lake City, UT
44
Private: Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
45
Private: Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
46
Private: California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
47
Private: University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
48
Private: University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
49
Private: San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
50
Private: University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA
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Why Are There So Many Great Colleges on the West Coast?
The west coast of the United States contains a lot of advantages and draw for people. Many industries and businesses started in the west or migrated there. Equally, universities west of the Midwest also propagate the area to serve the people, the industries, and the multitude of businesses in the states along the Pacific.
Business and industry require motivated people who want to succeed. To that end, colleges out west tend to work toward those goals. For someone seeking an undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree, the best colleges in the west can provide the type of education they need.
Much of this can be said of colleges around the nation or the globe, but it’s important to remember that different geographic areas have strengths that aren’t always available in other locations. The universities west coast students attend will have a strong focus on the things the west coast has the most affinity for.
For example, a large number of companies headquartered in California and Washington routinely make the Fortune 500 list of top companies. The best universities in the west coast can have backing, patronage, alumni, or career tracks from these and many other companies. Generally, there are a lot of great colleges out west because there’s a lot of business conducted there and a large need for knowledgeable people to conduct every aspect of that business.
Also, the west coast is just a great place to go to live, work, or learn. Most of the west coast has a warm climate and a huge amount of cultural diversification. The western states are younger states, and offer something for all people from any walk of life.
What are the Best Majors at Western Colleges?
The best majors at colleges out west, or any college, is the one that meets the goals of the potential student or career seeker. There are a few majors that many people specifically seek colleges in the western US for. Most of the best majors at colleges out west are any that fall under the STEM umbrella.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has become a large part of what the best universities in the west offer. Understand that STEM is an umbrella term that encompasses many disciplines. Some best colleges out west are devoted to STEM, such as the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH).
Stanford University, Harvey Mudd College, UC Berkeley, and a host of others all also offer robust STEM courses. In fact, it’s at some of these colleges in the western US that life-changing tech innovations occur. However, the regional universities west coast students have as options aren’t limited to STEM and its related fields.
Nor are the best colleges in the west limited to just California. Although it’s true that California is the most populous of the western states, it makes sense the state would have more universities and opportunities. Those interested in the liberal arts can consider a place like Reed College in Portland or Whitman College in Washington.
Altogether, there isn’t one best major to choose from. STEM curriculums and liberal arts programs coexist with business and law degree programs. Sometimes, applicants may find themselves choosing regional universities west in the country based on the weather or atmosphere they most prefer.
What are the Best Parts of Going to College in the Western US?
It is not a stretch to say that some of the most well-known and prestigious universities exist on the west coast. And among the best colleges in the western US, prospective students will find leaders in academics that can offer them an excellent education, no matter what discipline or major they choose.
Besides the weather considerations that attract most people to the west, there’s the fact that a tremendous number of respected businesses have headquarters in west coast states. Those seeking to enter tech industries would do well to pursue their education at any of the best colleges in the western US just to place themselves closer to potential job or careers with these businesses, industries, and fields that exist around them.
Other than the excellent academics, the west coast itself is full of beautiful places, diversity, and new experiences. The best colleges out west emphasize this aspect of their locations. So, for those seeking the best universities in the west coast, there are plenty of options available and plenty of opportunities worth pursuing.
Related:
Best Colleges & Universities in the Midwest