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The West Coast is home to many of America’s finest colleges and universities. California residents can enjoy in-state tuition at some of the nation’s most prestigious public universities. And schools like Reed and Claremont McKenna offer world-class liberal arts education to students. Compare the top West Coast colleges below by size, cost, admissions rate, graduation rate, and more:
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Stanford, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Did you know that Stanford University is home to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, one of the world's leading research facilities for particle physics? Located in Stanford, California, the university…Read More
Did you know that Stanford University is home to the…Read More
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Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Located in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is known for its rigorous STEM programs and interdisciplinary approach to education. The college is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium and offers…Read More
Located in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is known for…Read More
Berkeley, CA • Public, City
UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is one of the most prestigious public schools in the country, renowned for its pioneering research and activism. Home to the…Read More
UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is…Read More
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a premier liberal arts college known for its academic excellence and close-knit community. Founded in 1887, Pomona is one of the Claremont Colleges…Read More
Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a premier liberal…Read More
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
A part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, CMC is located in Claremont, California, and is known for its strong programs in economics, government, and public affairs. The college emphasizes leadership…Read More
A part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, CMC is located…Read More
Los Angeles, CA • Public, City
Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its strong programs in film, theater, and the arts. The university offers a diverse range of academic and extracurricular activities, with…Read More
Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its…Read More
La Jolla, CA • Public, City
UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for its research in oceanography, engineering, and the life sciences. The campus is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and…Read More
UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for…Read More
Pasadena, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind
Caltech, home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), boasts a very low student-to-faculty ratio and some of the best STEM programs in the country. They have produced many Nobel Laureates…Read More
Caltech, home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), boasts a…Read More
Irvine, CA • Public, City
UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the arts. The campus features Aldrich Park, a lush, 19-acre botanical garden. UCI…Read More
UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its…Read More
Los Angeles, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, known for its programs in film, business, engineering, and the arts. USC has a diverse student…Read More
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research…Read More
Seattle, WA • Public, City
The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university in Seattle, recognized for its strong programs in medicine, engineering, and computer science. As one of the oldest universities on…Read More
The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university…Read More
Davis, CA • Public, Suburb
Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its exceptional programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and environmental sciences. The campus boasts the UC Davis Arboretum, a 100-acre living museum…Read More
Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its…Read More
San Luis Obispo, CA • Public, Suburb
If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo might be the perfect fit. Known for its "Learn by Doing" philosophy, Cal Poly offers strong programs in engineering, architecture,…Read More
If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo…Read More
Aliso Viejo, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Aliso Viejo, California. There are currently 445 undergraduates at Soka and the school’s acceptance rate is 57%. The…Read More
Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More
Santa Barbara, CA • Public, Suburb
With its campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB provides a unique living and learning environment. UC Santa Barbara is known for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the…Read More
With its campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB provides a…Read More
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Founded in 1963 and located in Claremont, California, Pitzer College is known for its emphasis on environmental sustainability and interdisciplinary learning. As one of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer offers a…Read More
Founded in 1963 and located in Claremont, California, Pitzer College…Read More
San Diego, CA • Public, City
San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located in San Diego, California. There are currently 31,810 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition…Read More
San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located…Read More
Long Beach, CA • Public, City
Situated just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB is home to the iconic Walter Pyramid, a large blue pyramid used for athletic events and concerts. The school offers…Read More
Situated just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB…Read More
Fullerton, CA • Public, Suburb
California State University-Fullerton is a public 4-year college located in Fullerton, California. There are currently 35,249 undergraduates at CSUF and the school’s acceptance rate is 67%. The tuition at CSUF…Read More
California State University-Fullerton is a public 4-year college located in…Read More
Santa Clara, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University offers students unique opportunities to intern with leading tech companies. The Jesuit institution is known for its strong business and…Read More
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University…Read More
We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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