2023 Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 288 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Southern California the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for students working on their degree. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 12,004 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $489 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,044 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school handed out 5,783 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,284 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Seattle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,782 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 288 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the # 3 spot on the list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,485 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCLA accumulate an average of $16,277 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $278. Once they receive their degree, UCLA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,838 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at National University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Far Western US Region . La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 4,409 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198.After graduating from National University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,580 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
The programs at University of California - Berkeley helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Far Western US Region . Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school handed out 4,162 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $323 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Berkeley graduates make an average of $60,587 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Stanford University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 3,310 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Stanford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,159 during the early year of their career. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
San Jose State University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school handed out 3,106 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, San Jose State graduates make an average of $52,886 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - San Diego did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. This large public school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 2,888 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCSD accumulate an average of $17,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242.After graduating from UCSD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,251 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Portland State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Portland State University is a large public school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 2,516 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,191 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $319.After graduating from Portland State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,075 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Irvine ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large public school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 2,463 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,722 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Irvine graduates make an average of $44,120 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Naval Postgraduate School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This small public school is located in Monterey, California, and it awarded 2,318 degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Pepperdine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Pepperdine University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Malibu, California that handed out 2,216 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $597 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Pepperdine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,133 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Oregon State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Oregon State University is a large public school located in Corvallis, Oregon that handed out 2,201 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Oregon State accumulate an average of $26,738 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $417, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Oregon State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,202 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Washington State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,243 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,489 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312.After graduating from Wazzu, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,774 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Northcentral University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Northcentral University is located in San Diego, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,054 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,423 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Northcentral University graduates make an average of $56,007 annually. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Davis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school located in Davis, California that handed out 2,150 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,449 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281. Once they receive their degree, UC Davis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,065 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Brandman University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Irvine, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,964 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Brandman accumulate an average of $29,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Brandman graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,858 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
With a ranking of #19, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school handed out 1,882 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,702 in student loans.After graduating from CSULB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,445 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
San Diego State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 1,871 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SDSU accumulate an average of $18,150 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251. Once they receive their degree, SDSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,826 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
California State University - Northridge came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,871 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CSUN accumulate an average of $18,166 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CSUN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,924 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
University of San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,842 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from USFCA accumulate an average of $21,881 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $653.After graduating from USFCA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,640 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
University of Oregon did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. UO is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 1,799 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UO accumulate an average of $22,898 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $524. During the early years of their career, UO graduates make an average of $37,110 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the large public school handed out 1,681 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNLV accumulate an average of $23,884 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $246. During the early years of their career, UNLV graduates make an average of $47,200 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,642 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,931 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,875 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
Not only did these schools make the top 44 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | University of Redlands | Redlands, CA |
| 46 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
| 47 | Chapman University | Orange, CA |
| 48 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA |
| 49 | University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 50 | Alliant International University | San Diego, CA |
| 51 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA |
| 52 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA |
| 53 | Pacific University | Forest Grove, OR |
| 54 | California State University - Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA |
| 55 | Golden Gate University - San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 56 | California State University - San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA |
| 57 | University of the People | Pasadena, CA |
| 58 | Oregon Health & Science University | Portland, OR |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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