The far west US has some of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and foods from anywhere else in the country. Maybe that’s not surprising as the region spans from the northernmost to the southernmost points in the US. Likewise, they also have a diverse array of spectacular colleges, too.
For this top 25 list, we’ve included the following states in the far west: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
See the best far west colleges right here!
Top 25 Best Far West Colleges
Also known as Caltech, the California Institute of Technology’s motto is, “the truth shall make you free.” Science and Engineering are top choices among students and there have been over 75 Nobel laureates that have been associated with Caltech (including 40 alumni and faculty members). Just over 2,200 students attend the school today.
Location
Pasadena, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,240
Stanford University has a 5.2% acceptance rate and an 86% first year retention rate. Their student-to-faculty ratio is only 4 to 1. The 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, was a graduate of Stanford. Other alumni have included Fulbright Scholars, members of Congress, astronauts, and billionaires. Known as the Stanford Cardinals, their colors are cardinal and white.
Location
Stanford, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
15,953
A smaller school, Pomona College has about 1,475 students. The school receives around 10,400 applications and accepts 8.6% of them. The four commonly chosen majors are Econometrics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and International Relations and Affairs. The school was created when the founders wanted to recreate a “college of the New England type.” Their mascot is Cecil the Sagehen.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,475
The University of California – Berkeley has over 42,000 students, with over 30,000 undergraduates and just under 12,000 graduate students. It was the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus in the school system. The California Golden Bears, competing in the Pac-12 conference, have won over 100 national championships.
Location
Berkeley, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
42,327
Harvey Mudd College has a little under 900 students and offers programs only related to Science and Engineering. It has an 18% acceptance rate, 92% first year retention rate, and an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Part of the Claremont Colleges, their colors are black and gold. The men’s teams are known as the Stags and the women are known as the Athenas.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
854
With around 400 students, Soka University of America is an extremely small school. It has an acceptance rate of about 52%. A fairly new school (founded in 2001), the private university focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was founded by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda.
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
403
The University of California in Los Angeles is a very large school with over 44,000 students. A public land-grant research university, it’s the second-oldest branch of the school system. Its motto is Fiat lux, or “Let there be Light.” Famous alumni have included Sean Astin, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Morhaime, Jim Morrison, and Troy Aikman. It has an acceptance rate of 12%.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
44,371
Around 1,260 students attend Claremont McKenna College, which has a 13.3% acceptance rate and 81% four-year graduation rate. The most commonly chosen major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 87% of students will stay after their freshman year.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,264
The University of Southern California is a large school. It has over 48,000 students, including around 19,000 undergraduates and 26,500 graduates. The most popular major by far for undergraduates at the school is business administration and management. Some notable alumni include LeVar Burton, Neil Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and George Lucas.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
46,287
The southernmost campus of the University of California system, it is located close to the Pacific Ocean. The school covers over 120 bachelor’s degree programs, 19 organized research units, and boasts the region’s only academic Health System. The school has a 94% first year retention rate. Some alumni of the San Diego school include Angela Davis, Mike Judge, and David J. Peterson.
Location
San Diego, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
39,576
Originally opening in 1851, it is actually the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state. Athletes at Santa Clara are known as the Broncos where they compete in the West Coast Conference. Former Broncos have gone on to play in the NBA, NFL, and MLB and have won at least 13 Olympic gold medals.
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,616
Part of the University of California system, the Santa Barbara campus is located on the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics and Sociology are by far the most commonly chosen majors, but Experimental Psychology, Communication, and Biology are also top choices.
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,179
Also known as UCI or UC Irvine, this public land-grant research university offers 87 undergraduate degrees and 129 graduate and professional degrees. The UC Irvine Anteaters are part of the Big West Conference and 53 alumni have gone on to compete in the Olympics (33 medals). Computer science is the most commonly chosen major at the school.
Location
Irvine, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
36,303
A large school, the University of Washington – Seattle has over 48,000 students and a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many freshmen come from Washington, but others come from Oregon and California. About 93% will stay on after their first year. Speech Communication and Rhetoric is the most popular major.
Location
Seattle, WA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
48,149
The University of California – Davis is the seventh campus within the University of California system. It was originally an agricultural branch when founded in 1905, when it was known as University Farm. Famous alumni have included the CEO of Chevron, John S. Watson, the mayor of Sacramento, Darrel Steinberg, and actor / comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Location
Davis, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,839
A member of the Claremont Colleges, Scripps College is a private liberal arts women’s school. It’s known for its historic campus as well as its extensive curriculum. The campus is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places and often gets mentioned for its beautiful grounds. Biology, Psychology, and Political Science and Government are common majors.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
958
Occidental College is extremely close to Hollywood, so a number of movies and television shows have been filmed on its campus. Some examples include: Clueless, Arrested Development, the Good Place, and Star Trek III: the Search for Spock. Also known as Oxy, the school accepts 41% of out of just under 7,000 applications annually.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,839
Thomas Aquinas College is an extremely small liberal arts college in California. The only major the school offers is Liberal Arts and Sciences. The college has a 93% first year retention rate, 80% four-year graduation rate, and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Thomas Aquinas College’s motto is “Fides Quaerens Intellectum” or “Faith Seeking Understanding.”
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
462
Also known as Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is one of two polytechnics within the school system. The university’s motto is “Discere Faciendo or” Latin for “Learn by Doing.” Cal Poly participates in the Big West Conference and the Big Sky Conference in the NCAA Division I. Known as the Mustangs, they wear green and gold.
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
22,440
Gonzaga University’s campus is on 152 acres right alongside the Spokane River. A Catholic University, the school is named after the Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The university accepts 73% of applicants and has a 92% first year retention rate. 88% of students will go on to graduate within six years. Part of the West Coast Conference, varsity sports include track, baseball, basketball, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.
Location
Spokane, WA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,295
Pepperdine University has more graduates than undergraduates with 1 undergraduate school and four graduate schools. The main campus can be found in Malibu, but other campuses can be found all over the world from Washington D.C. to Florence, Italy, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pepperdine University has a 85% first year retention rate and an 80% four-year graduation rate.
Location
Malibu, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,554
Loyola Marymount University is home to the LMU Lions, who wear crimson and blue. Their mascot is named Iggy. Marketing, Psychology, and Speech Communications are the three most popular majors among students. 83% of students are expected to graduate within six years. 56% of the first year class calls California home, though students come from all over the US.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,686
Chapman University is a midsized school located just over 30 minutes outside of Huntington Beach, CA. About 75% of the student population are undergraduates while the other 25% of the student body are getting graduate degrees. The school boasts an 85% first year retention rate. The three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, and Psychology.
Location
Orange, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,761
Pitzer College accepts less than 17% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. A majority of these students come from California, Washington, and Oregon. It is one of the Claremont Colleges and focuses on media studies, behavioral studies, social sciences, and international programs. Environmental Science, Psychology, and Economics are popular majors.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
922
Classified as a public land grant university, University of California, Riverside is one of ten campuses in the University of California system. It’s a large school with over 22,000 undergraduates and around 3,700 graduate students. With a 91% first year retention rate, 77% of students will graduate in six years. Business Administration and Management is the most sought after major followed by Research and Experimental Psychology.
Location
Riverside, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,434
Interested in any of these schools? Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if they’re a good fit for you!
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently-available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
