With numerous reputed universities and colleges in the United States of America, narrowing down the search does not seem easy for prospective learners. The West Coast independently houses a wide range of top universities with varying student-body sizes from a few hundred to thousands. Here is a list of 50 Best Universities in the West Coast USA.
The universities in the West Coast tend to have huge campuses with advanced facilities and ample opportunities. Also, as a keen learner, you will never run out of exploring things if you go to the West Coast for your studies.
Well, as said before, the West Coast of the USA offers a plethora of university options. And this can make the task of selecting the best university or college for your education daunting. But don’t worry, we have got your back. Below is a list of the best universities in the West Coast, USA. These universities and colleges are chosen based on their academic records, financial expenses, admissions, student life, etc.
Top 50 Universities in the West Coast , USA
The list of top 50 universities in the West Coast, USA, is given below.
- Stanford University
- California Institute of Technology
- University of Southern California
- Pomona College
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Harvey Mudd College
- Claremont McKenna College
- University of California, Berkeley
- Reed College
- Santa Clara University
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- Scripps College
- University of Washington
- University of California, Irvine
- Pitzer College
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, San Diego
- Occidental College
- Whitman College
- Loyola Marymount University
- Pepperdine University
- University of San Diego
- California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo
- Chapman University
- University of Portland
- Washington State University
- Lewis & Clark College
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- California State University, Long Beach
- Gonzaga University
- University of San Francisco
- San Diego State University
- University of the Pacific
- Oregon State University
- University of Oregon
- Biola University
- The Master’s University
- University of California, Riverside
- Whitworth University
- Seattle Pacific University
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Seattle University
- University of Puget Sound
- Willamette University
- DigiPen Institute of Technology
- California State University, Fullerton
- Westmont College
- University of La Verne
- William Jessup University
Top 10 Universities in the West Coast
Now that you know the best colleges and universities in the West Coast go through their detailed descriptions. Here, have a look.
Read more about Universities in the West Coast on Best Universities in The West Coast of USA 2021 Ranking & Acceptance Rate
Stanford University – West Coast University
Stanford University is one of the best universities in the world, situated in California’s Bay area. It was established in 1885. Seven departments are present in this university, many of which are rated for graduate-level studies.
The medical, education, law, and business schools provide just graduate-level degrees. Three schools offer graduate and undergraduate degrees, i.e., engineering, earth sciences, and humanities and sciences. The academic calendar of this university is based on the quarter policy. However, the dialect of teaching here is English.
Housing is ensured for undergraduates for 4 years who join as freshers, and over 90% of undergraduates stay on campus. Stanford University also facilitates 4 years of housing for fresh graduate learners. Over 60% of graduate learners and more than 30% of staff members stay on campus. Stanford University’s library system, which includes 20 libraries, consists of over 9.3 million physical volumes.
California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology is a globally recognized science and engineering research institution situated in Pasadena, California. Caltech possesses several high-quality amenities, such as the International Observatory Network, the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The university was established in 1891 by Amos G. Troop as a preparatory and vocational academy. Eventually, it became the main center of U.S. scientific analysis in the early 20th century.
Caltech also offers great opportunities for the performance and study of visual arts, theater, and music. All forms of recreation play a crucial part in understanding Caltech’s goal of transforming students into creative members of society.
Giving a touch of magnificence, Athenaeum is a grand building located in the middle of the campus where students can opt for informal and formal meetings, dining, private parties, and rendezvous.
University of Southern California, West Coast
The University of Southern California is one of the oldest and top universitieson the West Coast. It is widely famous for the quality of research studies carried out here. Situated in the middle of Los Angeles’ Downtown Arts and Education Corridor, it is home to the USC College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and several other professional academies.
In addition, USC has centers and programs in Alhambra, Catalina Island, Washington, Sacramento, Marina Del Rey, and Orange County around Southern California.
The University of Southern California has become world-famous in multimedia and communication technologies departments and has obtained national recognition for its ingenious community outreach projects. It has also established its significance as one of the country’s top research universities.
Pomona College – West Coast Universities
This private institution, situated in Claremont, California, was established in 1887. As of 2020, Pomona College has a total undergraduate registration of 1,477. It uses a semester-based educational system. The ranking of this college in the 2022 version of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges is 4.
On-campus stay is ensured if requested, and over 97% of students stay in 14 residence halls, two-thirds of which include single compartments. In addition, the university provides over 200 student organizations.
Pomona College has nearly 45 majors and facilitates an 8:1 student-faculty percentage, which makes it one of the best colleges on the West Coast. The learners of Pomona college can also take tuitions from the other six colleges in the Claremont Colleges consortium. It includes Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, Pitzer College, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont McKenna College, and Scripps College.
Notable alumni include famous choral conductor Robert Shaw and former New York Times managerial editor Bill Keller.
University of California, Los Angeles
Since 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles, has served to be one of the best universities in the world. It has a total undergraduate registration of 31,636 as of 2020’s reports.
Situated in L.A.’s Westwood neighborhood, the university comprises the College of Letters and Sciences and several other graduate programs and schools, including the top-ranked David Geffen School of Medicine, School of Law, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Anderson School of Management. The university also has a reputable School of Dentistry and a School of Theater, Film, and Television.
UCLA guarantees students residential living for three years. Also, the university facilitates more than 1,000 student bodies, including media organizations and over 65 Greek chapters, which represent about 13% of the student organizations.
The university has women’s and men’s teams in water polo, volleyball, track and field, tennis, soccer, golf, cross country, and basketball. Men also compete in football and baseball, while females can participate in diving, swimming, softball, rowing, gymnastics, and beach volleyball.
Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College, situated in Claremont, is a private institution created in 1955. The institute follows a semester-based educational system. It is one of the best colleges on the West Coast for engineering, science, and math undergraduate courses. In addition, the academy facilitates a variety of student organizations on campus, from the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club to break-dancing clubs.
It provides a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in engineering, science, and math majors. This college is an integral part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, encompassing Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, and Scripps College.
The academy was established by Harvey S. Mudd, who was a successful mining engineer. Prominent alumni include astronauts Stan Love and George Nelson, and the new Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, and former U.S. diplomat Richard H. Jones.
Claremont McKenna College
This private institute, located at Claremont, California, was established in 1946. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of about 1,262, as per the academic records of 2020.
The academy is a part of the seven-college consortium called The Claremont Colleges, which encompasses Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, Pitzer College, Harvey Mudd College, Pomona, and Scripps College. Students can take courses at member colleges and enjoy dining, athletics, and social activities in the 2 graduate and 5 undergraduate colleges.
Although it is mainly an undergraduate institute, Claremont McKenna provides a graduate master’s degree in finance through the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance. The university was initially established as Claremont Men’s College, but it became co-ed in 1976.
The academy houses 10 prominent research foundations, providing learners the ability to do graduate-level research with staff. Notable alumni of this college include the comedian and actor Paul Brickman and Robin Williams, who directed and penned the 1983 movie “Risky Business.”
University of California, Berkeley
This public university occupies a high West Coast University ranking with a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,980 (2020). In the 2022 version of Best Colleges is National Universities, this university ranked 22. It was established in 1868 and held a good reputation in the educational sector. It is primarily located facing San Francisco Bay.
There are over 1,000 student bodies in this university, varying from hang-gliding clubs to political groups and everything in between. It also has a growing Greek life with dozens of sorority and fraternity chapters.
University of California, Berkeley has 14 colleges and schools, including several professional and graduate academies, such as the Graduate School of Journalism and the School of Optometry.
Other graduate programs offered by this renowned university include those in the top-ranked School of Law, College of Engineering, Graduate School of Education, and Haas School of Business. Prominent alumni of this institute include the Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, and entertainer John Cho, recognized for his part in the “Harold and Kumar” movies.
Reed College – West Coast University
It is a reckoned private college offering a master’s degree in liberal arts. Graduate learners do not need to select a study track and can improvise their curriculum as they want. Undergraduate learners may enlist in 5-year dual-degree programs, finishing a liberal arts degree in 3 years at Reed College and a specialized degree at a partnered organization in 2 years.
Amongst the dual-degree choices, one is the B.A./B.S. program with a liberal arts course from Reed college and a computer science course from the University of Washington. On the contrary, the other is a B.A./B.S. program with a Reed liberal arts course and an engineering course from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University, or California Institute of Technology.
Famous Reed alumni include Mark Worthington, the art producer of movies “Legally Blonde 2” and “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and Janet Fitch, the writer of “White Oleander.”
Santa Clara University – West Coast Universities
Now, the last one on our West Coast University ranking is Santa Clara University. This private university was established in 1851. Situated in the Silicon Valley town of Santa Clara, California, it provides entertainment and arts programs at the de Saisset Museum of Art and History and the Center of Performing Arts.
There are over 100 student bodies on the campus, including a volunteer service organization, Santa Clara Community Action Program, and the Santa Clara Review, a biannual academic magazine. Besides, Santa Clara University provides residence in its housing halls, and students can also enlist in a Residential Learning Community.
The graduate schools under this university include the Jesuit School of Theology, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, School of Engineering, School of Law, and the Leavey School of Business.
In addition, undergraduate students can complete their courses in the School of Engineering, Leavey School of Business, or College of Arts and Sciences. Renowned alumni of this university include the former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and President of the University of California system, Janet Napolitano, the secretary of defense and former director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, and U.N. messenger of peace and primatologist, Jane Goodall.
Bottom Line – 50 Best Universities in the West Coast USA
So, whether you want to spend the next 4 years hanging out on a Southern California beach, exploring nature around Portland, or spending weekends in classy Seattle, this above-mentioned list of best universities in the West Coast, USA, will give you an array of choices. [Source: 50 best colleges on the West Coast]
You can select your best fit depending on the categories like median earnings range, net price, and location. Also there are a list of Best Universities in the East Coast that you can choose from.
Any time while studies, if any sort of help is needed with assignments, refer to our services at Mentyor.
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