17 Best Colleges on the West Coast: West Ivies

The East Coast is home to all eight Ivy Leagues. If you are from the West Coast and don’t want to fly all the way to the other end of the country just to earn a degree from a prestigious institution, do not despair. That’s because there are numerous top-notch colleges and universities right where you are.

Many of the best colleges on the West Coast have Ivy League statuses. For instance, Stanford University and Claremont McKenna College are the Hidden Ivies. Pomona College and Harvey Mudd College, whereas, are the New Ivies. UC Berkeley and the University of Washington – Seattle are the Public Ivies.

You don’t have to be thousands of miles away from home for the sake of a college degree.

If parting ways with family and friends as well as the sun and the Pacific Ocean is not an option, you will be more than happy to know that there are plenty of prestigious institutions on the West Coast you can apply to. Below, we will talk about several different ones — see which of them would make for wonderful additions to your college list.

Stanford University

• Location: Stanford, California
• Institution type: Private research university
• Enrollment: 15,961
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Retention rate: 99%
• Graduation rate: 94%
• Tuition: $55,473
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $95,200
• US News ranking: #6 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #1 in Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

Prestigious colleges and universities are known for many things, including having some of the steepest sticker prices.

The good news is that Stanford University provides a comprehensive need-based financial aid program, which makes it possible for financially challenged students to go to it. As a matter of fact, about 70% of its students receive some form of aid.

Those who qualify for need-based aid from Stanford University itself get around $13,600 each.

Related Article: What Does Stanford University Look For?

Pomona College

• Location: Claremont, California
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,477
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Retention rate: 94%
• Graduation rate: 97%
• Tuition: $52,412
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $44,700
• US News ranking: #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #1 in Most Diverse Colleges in America

It’s true that Pomona College is only #4 in US News’ 2020 National Liberal Arts Colleges. However, the institution is #1 in Niche’s 2022 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America and 2022 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California rankings.

Despite being a small liberal arts college, Pomona College offers many excellent programs for students who dream big. Some of them include Political Science, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Global Studies, History, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Economics, English, Communications and Religious Studies.

California Institute of Technology

• Location: Pasadena, California
• Institution type: Private research university
• Enrollment: 2,238
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Retention rate: 98%
• Graduation rate: 94%
• Tuition: $56,364
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $68,400
• US News ranking: #9 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #3 in Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

If it’s phenomenal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees you want, look no further than Caltech. As a matter of fact, it has some of the biggest research facilities and astronomical observatories on the face of the planet. What’s more, as of this writing, 17 of the school’s living alumni members are Nobel Laureates.

One more amazing thing about going to Caltech is that a professor will be shared by only you and two others!

Claremont McKenna College

• Location: Claremont, California
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,264
• Acceptance rate: 10%
• Retention rate: 87%
• Graduation rate: 91%
• Tuition: $58,111
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $56,400
• US News ranking: #8 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #4 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

In an article on USA Today, Claremont McKenna College was named one of the five colleges with the happiest students. But refrain from assuming that a smile on your face is all that it can bring — the school can also give you first-rate education and a respected degree. After all, it is considered one of the Hidden Ivies.

The name makes it clear that Claremont McKenna College is a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which is a group of seven high-ranking liberal arts colleges (five) and graduate institutions (two).

University of California – Berkeley

• Location: Berkeley, California
• Institution type: Public land-grant research university
• Enrollment: 30,980
• Acceptance rate: 15%
• Retention rate: 97%
• Graduation rate: 92%
• In-state tuition: $11,442
• Out-of-state tuition: $41,196
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $53,300
• US News ranking: #22 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #8 in Top Public Universities in America

There are a couple of things that make UC Berkeley eminent. First, it was the very first institution in the University of California (UC) system. Second, it’s the second-oldest institution for higher education in California.

Related Article: How Hard is It to Get Into UC Berkeley?

You can choose from an assortment of high-ranking programs UC Berkeley offers. Some of those that are on the top of the list include Computer Science, Political Science, Environmental Science, Public Health, Business, Communications, Math, Economics, Chemistry, Physics and Engineering.

University of California – Los Angeles

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Institution type: Public land-grant research university
• Enrollment: 10,178
• Acceptance rate: 11%
• Retention rate: 97%
• Graduation rate: 91%
• In-state tuition: $13,240
• Out-of-state tuition: $42,994
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $49,600
• US News ranking: #20 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #1 in Top Public Universities in America

Among the institutions on the West Coast with Ivy League status, UCLA has one of the best athletic programs.

As a matter of fact, as of 2019, it has won 129 championships. It’s also because of this why it doesn’t come as a surprise that UCLA is #3 in Niche’s 2022 Best College Athletics in California and 2022 Best Colleges for Student Athletes in California. And by the way, 99 former UCLA students have played in the NBA.

University of Southern California

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Institution type: Private research university
• Enrollment: 46,107
• Acceptance rate: 11%
• Retention rate: 91%
• Graduation rate: 92%
• Tuition: $59,260
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $60,000
• US News ranking: #27 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #1 in Colleges With the Best Student Life in America

Just because you are serious about getting your hands on a degree and landing the job of your dreams after graduation doesn’t mean you should turn your back on having some fun.

You will be more than happy to know that there are more than 1,000 registered student organizations for social life and campus events at the University of Southern California. Due to this, it’s no wonder why the school is #1 in both 2022 Colleges With the Best Student Life in America and 2022 Colleges With the Best Student Life in America by Niche.

Harvey Mudd College

• Location: Claremont, California
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 854
• Acceptance rate: 14%
• Retention rate: 97%
• Graduation rate: 93%
• Tuition: $58,359
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $74,400
• US News ranking: #28 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #6 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

What makes Harvey Mudd College stand out from most other liberal arts colleges in the US is the fact that the school offers nine majors based on science, engineering and mathematics. All of them are grounded in a core curriculum that includes courses in social sciences and humanities.

It’s because of this why it’s where many students who wish to take solid liberal art and STEM degrees apply to.

Scripps College

• Location: Claremont, California
• Institution type: Private liberal arts women’s college
• Enrollment: 958
• Acceptance rate: 32%
• Retention rate: 92%
• Graduation rate: 84%
• Tuition: $56,970
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $40,700
• US News ranking: #30 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #6 in Best Women’s Colleges in America

There are more than 30 women’s colleges in the US. Among them, Scripps College offers the most number of STEM degrees.

As a matter of fact, the school is in the top three for the highest percentage of female STEM majors in the nation. And with more than 30 organizations on campus, having no social life should be the least of your worries.

Thanks to being a part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, its female students can enjoy a coed experience, too.

Related Article: 10 Unique Benefits of Women’s Colleges

Reed College

• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,385
• Acceptance rate: 40%
• Retention rate: 88%
• Graduation rate: 78%
• Tuition: $62,420
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $33,400
• US News ranking: #62 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #36 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

Among the more than 40 accredited four-year institutions in Oregon ranked by various college ranking sites, Reed College is consistently at or near the top.

For instance, it’s #1 in various 2022 Niche rankings of Oregon colleges and universities. They include Best Colleges in Oregon, Colleges With the Best Academics in Oregon, Most Diverse Colleges in Oregon, Colleges With the Best Professors in Oregon, Best Test-Optional Colleges in Oregon, and Top Private Universities in Oregon.

Whitman College

• Location: Walla Walla, Washington
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,360
• Acceptance rate: 56%
• Retention rate: 90%
• Graduation rate: 89%
• Tuition: $55,560
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $33,900
• US News ranking: #38 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #34 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

Despite being one of the top liberal arts colleges on the West Coast and in the entire US, too, it’s not that difficult to gain admission into Whitman College, thanks to its reasonable 56% acceptance rate.

The school also has a high retention rate, which is a good indicator that the majority of its first-year students are pleased with their college experience. One probable reason for this is the fact that Whitman College is #1 in 2022 Best College Dorms in Washington and #33 in 2022 Best College Dorms in America, both rankings by Niche.

Pitzer College

• Location: Claremont, California
• Institution type: Private residential liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 922
• Acceptance rate: 14%
• Retention rate: 91%
• Graduation rate: 88%
• Tuition: $57,686
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $34,600
• US News ranking: #35 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #41 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America

One of the nicest things about Pitzer College is that it allows its students to enjoy personalized majors.

This means that, should you get accepted into the school, you can have control over your everyday college activities, programs and coursework. And just in case the major you want is not available at Pitzer College, you can take it at one of the other Claremont Colleges consortium members offering it.

Santa Clara University

• Location: Santa Clara, California
• Institution type: Private Jesuit university
• Enrollment: 8,669
• Acceptance rate: 49%
• Retention rate: 95%
• Graduation rate: 89%
• Tuition: $52,998
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $57,200
• US News ranking: #55 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #6 in Best Catholic Colleges in America

Since Santa Clara University is a Catholic school located in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s no wonder why the institution with a 106-acre campus is able to blend the Jesuit philosophy of social justice with easy access to the tech capital of the world. As a result, it’s #6 in 2021 Best Catholic Colleges and Universities by College Choice.

Business, Marketing, Management, Psychology, Engineering, Communication, Journalism, Visual and Performing Arts — these are some of Santa Clara University’s best majors.

Occidental College

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Institution type: Private liberal arts college
• Enrollment: 1,839
• Acceptance rate: 37%
• Retention rate: 90%
• Graduation rate: 81%
• Tuition: $55,980
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $38,900
• US News ranking: #42 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche ranking: #26 in Most Liberal Colleges in America

There are a little more than 20 liberal arts colleges in the state of California, and one of the oldest of the bunch is Occidental College. But refrain from assuming that it’s an old-fashioned institution. According to the school itself, it fully integrates the liberal arts and sciences with the intellectual and cultural resources of a global city.

Related Article: Best Liberal Arts Colleges For B Students

And since it’s in Los Angeles, it is virtually impossible to run out of things to do when there are no classes.

University of Washington – Seattle

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Institution type: Public research university
• Enrollment: 51,487
• Acceptance rate: 52%
• Retention rate: 94%
• Graduation rate: 84%
• In-state tuition: $10,629
• Out-of-state tuition: $37,998
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $48,700
• US News ranking: #59 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #19 in Most Diverse Colleges in America

According to two Niche rankings, the University of Washington – Seattle is #1 in 2022 Most Diverse Colleges in Washington and 2022 Most Diverse Colleges in America.

There are many perks that come with earning your degree from a diverse institution. For instance, it allows you to encounter languages, cultures, behaviors and values that are different from yours. This enables you to acquire and hone skills that will come in very handy when it’s time to shine in the workplace.

Loyola Marymount University

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Institution type: Private Jesuit research university
• Enrollment: 9,686
• Acceptance rate: 44%
• Retention rate: 88%
• Graduation rate: 83%
• Tuition: $52,310
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $51,500
• US News ranking: #75 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #7 in Best Catholic Colleges in America

Some of the best majors at Loyola Marymount University include Business, Accounting, Finance, Math, English, Philosophy, Environmental Science, Film, Photography and Performing Arts.

Like another entry on this listing of the best colleges on the West Coast, which is Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount University is also in the 2021 Best Catholic Colleges and Universities ranking by College Choice (#14).

Brigham Young University

• Location: Provo, Utah
• Institution type: Private Latter-Day Saint research university
• Enrollment: 36,450
• Acceptance rate: 68%
• Retention rate: 88%
• Graduation rate: 62%
• Latter-Day Saint tuition: $6,120
• Non-Latter-Day Saint tuition: $12,240
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 21:1
• Six-year average annual earnings: $44,500
• US News ranking: #79 in National Universities
• Niche ranking: #1 Most Conservative Colleges in America

Various academic programs make Brigham Young University well-known on the West Coast and the rest of the country. They include Engineering, Nursing, Law, Management and Agriculture.

There are a couple of other things that make the moderately selective institution popular. First, it attracts students who wish to partake in Mormon culture while earning their degrees. Second, Brigham Young University cuts the tuition of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in half.

Other Prestigious West Coast Institutions

By now, it’s already evident that there is never a shortage of prestigious colleges and universities on the West Coast, the majority of which are comparable to the Ivy Leagues on the opposite end of the land.

Think again if you believe that your options begin and end with the list above. You have many more high-status schools on the West Coast to choose from, most of which can offer you superb higher education experience and give you a college degree that potential employers will admire and respect!

See which of the following prominent schools are worthy of making it on your college list:

• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Gonzaga University
• Pepperdine University
• Soka University of America
• Thomas Aquinas College
• United States Air Force Academy
• University of California – Davis
• University of California – Irvine
• University of California – San Diego
• University of California – Santa Barbara
• University of Portland
• University of Puget Sound
• University of San Diego
• Westmont College
• Willamette University

Just Before You Apply to a College in the West

It’s in the west where you can find some of the best!

If you cannot say goodbye to fine weather on most days of the week and your family and childhood friends, too, there is no need to be far away from home for the next four years of your academic life. That’s because there are lots and lots of great schools right where you are.

Above, the names of over 30 of the best colleges on the West Coast were mentioned.

Don’t just add random ones to your college list. No matter how prestigious a college or university is, attending it is pointless if it doesn’t make a good fit. Needless to say, apply to a phenomenal school on the West Coast that meets your particular preferences and needs and whose admissions requirements meet yours.

Read Next: Best Non-Ivy League Schools Along The East Coast