Best Western Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the West for 2025

There are 604 colleges and universities in the West enrolling 4,237,965 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

604 results

List of the Best West Colleges

La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#91 Best Colleges in the West

  • 1,611enrollment
  • $28,076net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#92 Best Colleges in the West

  • 8,796enrollment
  • $15,558net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#93 Best Colleges in the West

  • 2,320enrollment
  • $18,480net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#94 Best Colleges in the West

  • 9,067enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 17-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#95 Best Colleges in the West

  • 20,519enrollment
  • $12,509net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg 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

#96 Best Colleges in the West

  • 10,327enrollment
  • $17,775net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#97 Best Colleges in the West

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Western State Colorado University
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W
Gunnison, CO

Western State Colorado University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#98 Best Colleges in the West

  • 4,053enrollment
  • $17,709net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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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

#99 Best Colleges in the West

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#100 Best Colleges in the West

  • 2,781enrollment
  • $12,936net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 898-1110SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#101 Best Colleges in the West

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#102 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 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

#103 Best Colleges in the West

  • 42,996enrollment
  • $7,295net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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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

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $16,074net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

#105 Best Colleges in the West

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#106 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,742enrollment
  • $15,222net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Eastern Washington University
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E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#107 Best Colleges in the West

  • 10,741enrollment
  • $13,786net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 10

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#108 Best Colleges in the West

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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