2026 Best General Education Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 224 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $67,010 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. See the full general education program report for University Of California Los Angeles

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 151 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $77,526. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for California State University Sacramento

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 general education degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $85,162 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full general education program report for Stanford University

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Berkeley

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for California State University Fullerton

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for general education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 68 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,982 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at California State University Long Beach

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for general education this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 125 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $91,736. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at University Of California San Diego

8

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #8 for general education this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 154 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $61,108 early in their careers. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Riverside

9

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University landed the #9 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 24 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $52,713. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Seattle Pacific University

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #10 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 32 general education degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. Read more about the general education program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

11

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #11 among the best general education schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 general education degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $61,550 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542. Get the full general education details for Point Loma Nazarene University

12

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 121 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent data year. See the full general education program report for California State University Bakersfield

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #13 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 250 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $26,106 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,575. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Irvine

14

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 91 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $59,285 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from University Of California Davis

15

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne earned the #15 position for general education this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 82 general education degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of La Verne

16

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California earned the #16 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 66 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Saint Marys College Of California

17

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #17 spot for general education this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 43 general education degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $37,928. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,746 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Chapman University

18

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $68,117. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Get the full general education details for California State University Dominguez Hills

19

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. About 53 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $73,028 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. See the full general education program report for University Of San Diego

20

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #20 spot for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 general education students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $80,657 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Sonoma State University

21

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 176 general education students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California Baptist University earn around $67,260 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from California Baptist University

22

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #22 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 29 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Northridge earn around $48,437 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. See the full general education program report for California State University Northridge

23

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #23 spot for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 101 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $60,476 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

24

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University earned the #24 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 88 general education degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $78,963 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Azusa Pacific University

25

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #25 position for general education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 55 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $62,201 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. See the full general education program report for University Of San Francisco