Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top West Coast Colleges
Written by
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
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:
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.
Need help paying for school?
Easy Scholarships
To Apply For
$373,996 in scholarships available
Scholarships360 is recommended by
Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Top College
Top College
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
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
Pomona College
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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…
Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a premier liberal…Read More
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
California Institute of Technology
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
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City
Top College
Top College
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
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA • Public, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Public, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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…
Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA • Public, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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…
Founded in 1963 and located in Claremont, California, Pitzer College…
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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…
San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located…Read More
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Public, City
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Public, Suburb
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
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…
California State University-Fullerton is a public 4-year college located in…Read More
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City
Top College
Top College
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
- 1
- 2
- 3 ...
- 6
-
Next
About the Data
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.
3 reasons to join scholarships360
- Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
- Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
- Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform
By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!
Join For Free