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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the Far Western Region

26 Colleges in the United States
1,924 Best Degrees Awarded
$61,057 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 168 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Southern California earn around $78,453 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Southern California

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 148 best degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $70,392 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. More information about a degree in best from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

3

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 best degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $64,423 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. See the full best program report for California State University Long Beach

4

California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 56 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,626 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,273. Get the full best details for California State University Fullerton

5

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 best degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full best details for San Jose State University

6
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #6 position for best this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 best degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $87,976 early in their careers. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of San Francisco

7

San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for best this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 best degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Best graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $85,122 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for San Francisco State University

8

California State University East Bay earned the #8 position for best this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 best degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Best graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $84,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. Get the full best details for California State University East Bay

9

California State University Sacramento placed #9 among the best best schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Read more about the best program at California State University Sacramento

10

California State University Los Angeles came in at #10 for best this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 30 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $66,365 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from California State University Los Angeles

11

San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 98 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $56,415 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from San Diego State University

12

California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 173 best degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $77,004 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. See the full best program report for California State University Northridge

13

University Of Oregon came in at #13 for best this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $39,365. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $16,166 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of Oregon

14

California State University San Bernardino landed the #14 spot for best this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 97 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for California State University San Bernardino

15

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #15 for best this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 133 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from California State University Dominguez Hills

16
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University placed #16 among the best best schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 best students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $68,749 early in their careers. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. Get the full best details for Seattle University

17

Golden Gate University San Francisco earned the #17 position for best this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 39 best students who graduated with this degree at Golden Gate University San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Golden Gate University San Francisco generally make around $91,136. Typical student debt for the program is $33,968. See the full best program report for Golden Gate University San Francisco

18

Azusa Pacific University landed the #18 spot for best this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 10 best degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Azusa Pacific University

19

Portland State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 27 best degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $73,655. Portland State University graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Portland State University

20
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University earned the #20 position for best this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 50% of students finish within six years. National University awarded about 81 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from National University earn around $75,141 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,603. Read more about the best program at National University

21

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #21 for best this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. About 12 best degrees were awarded at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $70,199. Typical student debt for the program is $27,471. Read more about the best program at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

22

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Nevada Reno

23

California State University Fresno landed the #23 spot for best this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for California State University Fresno

24

California Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. About 62% of students finish within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 45 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $74,317 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $39,244. Read more about the best program at California Baptist University

25

University Of California Riverside came in at #25 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. See the full best program report for University Of California Riverside

Rest of the Top 39 Best Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s best ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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