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

Southern Utah University
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S
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#109 Best Colleges in the West

  • 15,033enrollment
  • $12,375net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 8

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Colorado Mesa University
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C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#110 Best Colleges in the West

  • 8,995enrollment
  • $15,076net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Western Oregon University
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W
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#111 Best Colleges in the West

  • 3,857enrollment
  • $15,249net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 868-1108SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#112 Best Colleges in the West

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Boise State University
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B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#113 Best Colleges in the West

  • 26,670enrollment
  • $19,037net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#114 Best Colleges in the West

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Southern Oregon University
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S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#115 Best Colleges in the West

  • 5,371enrollment
  • $17,433net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#116 Best Colleges in the West

  • 18,925enrollment
  • $6,645net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Hope International University
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H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#117 Best Colleges in the West

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $30,514net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#118 Best Colleges in the West

  • 25,080enrollment
  • $4,551net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

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Lewis Clark State College
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L
Lewiston, ID
 

Lewis Clark State College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#119 Best Colleges in the West

  • 3,706enrollment
  • $12,508net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 850-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 8

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Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#120 Best Colleges in the West

  • 17,593enrollment
  • $13,727net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 880-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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The University of Montana Western
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M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#121 Best Colleges in the West

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $15,726net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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University of Alaska Fairbanks
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A
Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#122 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,640enrollment
  • $9,985net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#123 Best Colleges in the West

  • 2,950enrollment
  • $13,800net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Colorado State University Pueblo
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C
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#124 Best Colleges in the West

  • 6,691enrollment
  • $14,188net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1100SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Alaska Anchorage
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A
Anchorage, AK

University of Alaska Anchorage

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 10,796enrollment
  • $13,931net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Alaska Bible College
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A
Glennallen, AK
 

Alaska Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 65enrollment
  • $14,844net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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