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20 Best Colleges on the West Coast
What’s Covered
- Our Ranking Methodology
- Ranked List of Colleges on the West Coast
- What Are Your Chances of Acceptance
The West Coast is home to some of the country’s best colleges and universities. Across California, Oregon, and Washington, research universities, small liberal arts colleges, and other institutions of higher learning abound.
Curious which schools on the West Coast are the right fit for you? Take a look at this list.
Our Ranking Methodology
For our rankings, we focused on school quality, outcomes, and ROI. We examined data such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among others.
Ranked List of Colleges on the West Coast
1. Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate: 3.6%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1510-1570/34-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,904
Stanford, one of the nation’s most selective institutions, has consistently ranked among the top 10 national universities. The sprawling Bay Area campus is home to prestigious programs in STEM, business, and numerous other areas.
Learn more about Stanford and see your chances of acceptance.
2. California Institute of Technology | Caltech
Location: Pasadena, CA
Acceptance Rate: 2.6%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 987
A small institution devoted to STEM studies, Caltech prepares students to become leaders in science, engineering, academia, industry, and public service. The college was originally founded as a preparatory and vocational school in 1891 and quickly became a leader in education. Today, Caltech offers 26 options (majors) across six academic divisions.
Learn more about Caltech and see your chances of acceptance.
3. Pomona College
Location: Claremont, CA
Acceptance Rate: 7.1%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1550/33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,766
Pomona is a quintessential New England liberal arts college — except that it’s on the West Coast. Founded in 1887, it offers 48 majors across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
One notable aspect of Pomona is its membership in The Claremont Colleges, a consortium enabling access to the courses and resources of its neighboring colleges. In fact, Pomona is the founding member of the consortium.
Learn more about Pomona and see your chances of acceptance.
4. Claremont McKenna College
Location: Claremont, CA
Acceptance Rate: 9.6%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1490-1550/33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,390
Another member of the Claremont Colleges, Claremont McKenna is a top liberal arts college, with renowned programs in economics, government, and many other disciplines. Despite its relatively short history—the college was founded in 1946—it has already distinguished itself as a world-class leader across a range of fields.
Learn more about Claremont McKenna and see your chances of acceptance.
5. University of Southern California | USC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1530/32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,023
Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California. The university offers numerous programs across schools, like the College of Letters and Arts and Sciences, and is particularly well known for its acclaimed media and film programs.
Learn more about USC and see your chances of acceptance.
6. Harvey Mudd College
Location: Claremont, CA
Acceptance Rate: 12.7%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1510-1560/34-36
Undergraduate Enrollment: 921
Harvey Mudd has the unique distinction of being a liberal arts college that’s focused on STEM disciplines. With 14 majors across fields like computer science, biology, engineering, and physics, the college has a reputation for graduating STEM leaders. Harvey Mudd is also a member of the Claremont Colleges.
Learn more about Harvey Mudd and see your chances of acceptance.
7. University of California, Berkeley | UC Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,469
The first campus in the University of California system, UC Berkeley, was established in 1868. Famed for political activism, the university has served as a haven for advancement and societal progress. Berkeley draws talented students from every corner of the world to learn across 130 academic departments.
Learn more about UC Berkeley and see your chances of acceptance.
8. University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance Rate: 8.9%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,471
Particularly known for a School of Theater, Film and Television, UCLA, a “Public Ivy,” was the second institution to join the University of California system. In addition to Theater, Film, and Television, the university offers hundreds of majors across six undergraduate schools, along with several graduate schools.
Learn more about UCLA and see your chances of acceptance.
9. Scripps College
Location: Claremont, CA
Acceptance Rate: 38.3%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1520/31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,117
Founded in 1926, Scripps, another member of the Claremont Colleges, is a women’s liberal arts college offering an interdisciplinary curriculum. Along with top programs across disciplines, it is known as one of the country’s most beautiful campuses.
Learn more about Scripps and see your chances of acceptance.
10. Santa Clara University
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1360-1480/31-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,577
Founded in 1851, SCU is located in Silicon Valley, and brings the high-tech power of its home to a cutting-edge curriculum. A Jesuit school, the university welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. SCU has received an Excellence in Diversity Award and has been named a Sierra Magazine “Cool School” for Sustainability multiple times.
Learn more about Santa Clara and see your chances of acceptance.
11. Pitzer College
Location: Claremont, CA
Acceptance Rate: 25.2%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,242
Another member of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer was founded in 1963 as a women’s college, before becoming coed in 1970. It’s known for its politically active students and diverse student body and faculty. As a top-ranked liberal arts and sciences college, Pitzer offers programs across disciplines.
Learn more about Pitzer and see your chances of acceptance.
12. University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA
Acceptance Rate: 39.1%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1333-1500/28-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,754
One of the oldest public universities on the West Coast, the University of Washington is another “Public Ivy” with a strong reputation as a leader in public education. With campuses in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma, the university contains a number of schools and colleges. Students have access to a cutting-edge curriculum, along with an abundance of extracurricular activities—it’s home to more than 1,000 student organizations.
Learn more about the University of Washington and see your chances of acceptance.
13. University of California, San Diego
Location: San Diego, CA
Acceptance Rate: 26.8%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,955
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) was founded as an experiment in 1960 and today is considered at the forefront of innovation. UCSD offers more than 100 degree programs through its eight academic schools. The university is also known for improving social mobility.
Learn more about UCSD and see your chances of acceptance.
14. Soka University of America
Location: Aliso Viejo, CA
Acceptance Rate: 43.6%
Middle 50% SAT: 1345-1493
Undergraduate Enrollment: 484
Founded in 1987, Soka is affiliated with the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, although the school itself is secular. The university comprises a four-year liberal arts college and graduate school—it ranks highly for both value and number of students studying abroad. In fact, students are required to study abroad for a semester at no extra cost.
Learn more about Soka and see your chances of acceptance.
15. Occidental College
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance Rate: 44.2%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1400-1495/31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,881
Originally founded by members of the Presbyterian Church in 1887, Occidental is non-sectarian today. One of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast, the college combines liberal arts and sciences. It offers more than 45 majors and minors, along with unique programs and cutting-edge research opportunities.
Learn more about Occidental and see your chances of acceptance.
16. Whitman College
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Acceptance Rate: 38.1%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1330-1470/29-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,561
Founded as Whitman Seminary in 1859, Whitman became non-sectarian in 1883. Now a small, residential liberal arts college in Walla Walla, the college promotes and cultivates qualities like critical thinking through a rigorous academic curriculum.
Learn more about Whitman and see your chances of acceptance.
17. University of California, Irvine | UC Irvine
Location: Irvine, CA
Acceptance Rate: 28.8%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: 30,204
UC Irvine was founded in 1965 with the mission of catalyzing the community and enhancing students’ lives. Among its claims to fame, the university was ranked a Top 10 “Cool School” by Sierra Magazine for more than a decade.
Learn more about UC Irvine and see your chances of acceptance.
18. Loyola Marymount University | LMU
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance Rate: 45.1%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1280-1400/28-32
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,273
The result of a merger between Loyola University and Marymount College, LMU was established in 1973. The university is rooted in the Jesuit tradition. Today, LMU offers 55 majors and 58 minors.
Learn more about LMU and see your chances of acceptance.
19. Reed College
Location: Portland, OR
Acceptance Rate: 24.6%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1310-1490/30-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,346
Founded in 1908, Reed is considered one of the most intellectual colleges in the country, known for its humanities curriculum, relatively open curriculum, small class sizes, and engaged student body. One of its claims to fame is its high production of Rhodes Scholars, which is second among the country’s liberal arts colleges.
Learn more about Reed and see your chances of acceptance.
20. Pepperdine University
Location: Malibu, CA
Acceptance Rate: 62.9%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1300-1440/29-32
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,553
A Christian university, Pepperdine is comprised of five schools, including Seaver College, its one undergraduate school. The university frequently ranks as one of the most beautiful institutions in the country, along with being noted for its 43 well-regarded undergraduate degree programs.
Learn more about Pepperdine and see your chances of acceptance.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
These schools vary in terms of selectivity, but your personal chances of admission depend on your unique profile. Assess how your statistics align with those of the school to create a list of around 8-10 schools, with a breakdown of around 25% safety schools, 40% target schools, and 35% reach.
Try our free Admissions Chances Calculator to better assess your chances and determine whether a particular school is a safety, target, or reach for you. We’ll give you tips on how to improve your profile, too!
