Best Western Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the West for 2024

There are 607 colleges and universities in the West enrolling 4,069,594 students. Explore the list of top colleges in the West below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in West offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

The  West is home to nationally ranked institutions like Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College. The highest ranked college in the West is Stanford University and the top rated public state college is University of California Los Angeles.

West Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

607 results

List of the Best West Colleges

California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#91 Best Colleges in the West

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#92 Best Colleges in the West

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#93 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Saint Martin's University
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S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#94 Best Colleges in the West

  • 1,609enrollment
  • $21,811net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 925-1180SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#95 Best Colleges in the West

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western State Colorado University
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W
Gunnison, CO

Western State Colorado University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#96 Best Colleges in the West

  • 3,548enrollment
  • $16,672net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1270SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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The University of Montana
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M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#97 Best Colleges in the West

  • 9,955enrollment
  • $16,361net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#98 Best Colleges in the West

  • 21,609enrollment
  • $16,273net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#99 Best Colleges in the West

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#100 Best Colleges in the West

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#101 Best Colleges in the West

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $25,674net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#102 Best Colleges in the West

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western Oregon University
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W
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#103 Best Colleges in the West

  • 3,751enrollment
  • $16,754net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 985-1220SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Fort Lewis College
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F
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#104 Best Colleges in the West

  • 3,400enrollment
  • $15,685net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1260SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#105 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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Chaminade University of Honolulu
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C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#106 Best Colleges in the West

  • 2,369enrollment
  • $27,315net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#107 Best Colleges in the West

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Brigham Young University Idaho
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B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#108 Best Colleges in the West

  • 43,023enrollment
  • $7,899net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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