2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,202. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $81,909 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

3

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

5

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University East Bay one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

6

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #6 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

7

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $64,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,481. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $47,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

9

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $57,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

11

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #11 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.

12

Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University came in at #12 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Monmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,514, with out-of-state students paying around $32,169. Students borrow a median of $24,166 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $39,436. That is a strong return on a $24,166 median debt. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.

13

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific placed #13 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,514. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,543. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.

14

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $83,546 early in their careers. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.

15

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

La Sierra University came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Riverside, La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,710. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,507. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from La Sierra University generally make around $62,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

16

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego landed the #16 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,559. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.

17

City University Of Seattle
Seattle, WA

City University Of Seattle placed #17 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,929 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $70,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Set against $21,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.