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What Is a Reach School? What Is a Match School? What Is a Safety School? West Coast States. By Allen Grove Allen Grove Facebook Twitter College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on September 10, 2019 The West Coast is home to some impressive universities and colleges, and my top picks range in size from a few hundred to over 40,000 students. Stanford frequently ranks among the nations top universities, and UC Berkeley often tops rankings of public universities. Pomona College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. The colleges and universities below were chosen based on a range of factors including retention rates, graduation rates, student engagement, selectivity, and financial aid. I have listed the schools alphabetically to avoid the often arbitrary distinctions that separate #1 from #2, and because of the futility of comparing a large research university to a small liberal arts college. The colleges and universities in the list below were selected from West Coast states: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. California Institute of Technology (CalTech) Beckman Institute at Caltech. smerikal / Flickr Location: Pasadena, California Enrollment: 2,231 (979 undergraduates) Type of Institution: engineering school Distinctions: 3 to 1 student/faculty ratio; one of the country's best engineering schools; one of the country's most selective colleges; member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs For more information and admissions data, visit the CalTech profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for CalTech Chapman University Smith Hall at Chapman University. Tracie Hall / Flickr Location: Orange, California Enrollment: 8,542 (6,410 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 23; strong professional fields such as business and communications, but with a liberal arts flavor; rich history of inclusive admissions For more information and admissions data, visit the Chapman University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Chapman Claremont McKenna College The Kravis Center at Claremont McKenna College. Victoire Chalupy / Wikimedia Commons Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 1,347 (all undergraduates) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the most selective colleges in the country; part of the Claremont Colleges; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; good grant aid for qualifying students For more information and admissions data, visit the Claremont McKenna College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Claremont McKenna Gonzaga University Gonzaga University—Foley Center Library. SCUMATT / Wikiemedia Commons Location: Spokane, Washington Enrollment: 7,567 (5,183 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Catholic university Distinctions: Educational philosophy focuses on the whole person -- mind, body and spirit; one of the country's top Catholic colleges; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; most students receive grant aid For more information and admissions data, visit the Gonzaga University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Gonzaga Harvey Mudd College Entrance to Harvey Mudd College. Imagine / Wikimedia Commons Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 842 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: undergraduate engineering college Distinctions: One of the top undergraduate engineering colleges; member of the Claremont Colleges; engineering curriculum is grounded in the humanities and social sciences; many hands-on learning opportunities for students; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; high marks for the salaries of graduates For more information and admissions data, visit the Harvey Mudd College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Harvey Mudd Loyola Marymount University Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount. Photo Credit: Marisa Benjamin Location: Los Angeles, California Enrollment: 9,330 (6,261 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Catholic University Explore the Campus: LMU Photo Tour Distinctions: attractive 150-acre campus; 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 18; 144 clubs and organizations; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; largest Catholic university on the West Coast For more information and admissions data, visit the Loyola Marymount University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Loyola Marymount Occidental College Administration building at Occidental College. Jeffrey Beall / Flickr Location: Los Angeles, California Enrollment: 1,969 (all undergraduates) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; located eight miles from downtown L.A.; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 16; 21 Division III varsity sports teams For more information and admissions data, visit the Occidental College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Occidental Pepperdine University Center for Communication and Business at Pepperdine University. Matt McGee / Flickr Location: Malibu, California Enrollment: 7,826 (3,542 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Christian university Distinctions: Attractive 830-acre campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean; international campuses in six countries; strong undergraduate business major; 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Pepperdine University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Pepperdine Pitzer College East and West Residence Halls at Pitzer College. Lauriealosh / Wikimedia Commons Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 1,062 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: liberal arts college Distinctions: Member of the Claremont Colleges; test-optional admissions; 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; creative curriculum emphasizes educational objectives rather than core requirements; highly interdisciplinary curriculum For more information and admissions data, visit the Pitzer College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Pitzer Pomona College Pomona College. The Consortium / Flickr Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 1,563 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the 10 top liberal arts colleges in the country; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the Claremont Colleges; 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 14 For more information and admissions data, visit the Pomona College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Pomona Reed College Reed College. mejs / Flickr Location: Portland, Oregon Enrollment: 1,427 (1,410 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; high number of students go on to earn PhDs; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; located 15 minutes from downtown Portland; highly ranked liberal arts college For more information and admissions data, visit the Reed College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Reed Santa Clara University Santa Clara University. Jessica Harris / Flickr Location: Santa Clara, California Enrollment: 8,422 (5,438 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Catholic university Distinctions: One of the country's top Catholic universities; attractive 106-acre campus; strong community service programs; high alumni salaries; strong undergraduate business school; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Santa Clara University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Santa Clara Scripps College Scripps College. Lure Photography / Wikimedia Commons Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 1,057 (1,039 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private women's liberal arts college Distinctions: One of the top women's colleges in the country; highly ranked liberal arts college; attractive Spanish architecture; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; core curriculum in interdisciplinary humanities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences For more information and admissions data, visit the Scripps College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Scripps Soka University of America Founders Hall at Soka University of America. Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons Location: Aliso Viejo, California Enrollment: 430 (417 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private college grounded in Buddhist principles Distinctions: 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 13; attractive mountainside campus above Laguna Beach; neighboring 4,000-acre wilderness park; curriculum grounded in Buddhist principles of peace and human rights; international student body and curricular focus For more information and admissions data, visit the Soka University of America profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Soka Stanford University Stanford University. Daniel Hartwig / Flickr Location: Stanford, California Enrollment: 17,184 (7,034 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: One of the country's top universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for excellent research programs; one of the country's most selective colleges; member of the NCAA Division I Pacific 10 Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the Stanford University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Stanford Thomas Aquinas College Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. Alex Begin / Flickr Location: Santa Paula, California Enrollment: 386 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private Catholic liberal arts college Distinctions: Great books curriculum (no textbooks); excellent value; ranks highly among top conservative colleges; attractive 131-acre campus; no classes have a lecture format -- the curriculum features sustained tutorials, seminars and laboratories For more information and admissions data, visit the Thomas Aquinas College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Thomas Aquinas University of California at Berkeley The University of California Berkeley. Charlie Nguyen / Flickr Location: Berkeley, California Enrollment: 40,154 (29,310 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the top public universities; part of the University of California system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; 15 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I Pacific 10 Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the UC Berkeley profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UC Berkeley University of California at Davis The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis. Steven Tyler PJs / Flickr Location: Davis, California Enrollment: 36,460 (29,379 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Part of the University of California system; 5,300-acre campus; over 100 undergraduate majors; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the UC Davis profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UC Davis University of California at Irvine Frederick Reines Hall at UC Irvine. Photo Credit: Marisa Benjamin Location: Irvine, California Enrollment: 32,754 (27,331 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Part of the University of California system; highly ranked programs include biolgy/health sciences, criminology, English and psychology; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; 1,500-acre circular campus with a park at the center; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the UC Irvine profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UC Irvine University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Royce Hall at UCLA. Photo Credit: Marisa Benjamin Location: Los Angeles, California Enrollment: 43,548 (30,873 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; part of the University of California system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; 17 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I Pacific 10 Conference Explore the Campus: UCLA photo tour For more information and admissions data, visit the UCLA profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UCLA University of California at San Diego Rady School of Management at UCSD. Photo Credit: Marisa Benjamin Location: San Diego, California Enrollment: 34,979 (28,127 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Explore Campus: USD Photo Tour Distinctions: One of the country's top public universities; part of the University of California system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; particular strengths in the sciences, social sciences and engineering; residential college system modeled after Oxford For more information and admissions data, visit the UCSD profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UCSD University of California at Santa Barbara UCSB, University of California Santa Barbara. Carl Jantzen / Flickr Location: Santa Barbara, California Enrollment: 24,346 (21,574 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: 1,000-acre beach-front campus; part of the University of California system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference Explore the Campus: UCSB photo tour For more information and admissions data, visit the UCSB profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UCSB University of Portland Romanaggi Hall at the University of Portland. Visitor7 / Wikimedia Commons Location: Portland, Oregon Enrollment: 4,383 (3,798 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Catholic university Distinctions: One of the country's top Catholic universities; 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio; institutional commitment to teaching, faith and service; strong engineering programs; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Portland profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UP University of Puget Sound University of Puget Sound Residence Hall. The Kevin / Flickr Location: Tacoma, Washington Enrollment: 2,791 (2,508 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: Curriculum grounded in the liberal arts; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; easy access to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges; most students receive grant aid For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Puget Sound profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Puget Sound University of San Diego University of San Diego. john farrell macdonald / Flickr Location: San Diego, California Enrollment: 8,508 (5,711 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Catholic university Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; attractive 180-acre campus with Spanish architecture and views of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean; member of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio For more information and admissions data, visit the University of San Diego profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for USD University of Southern California (USC) USC Doheny Memorial Library. Photo Credit: Marisa Benjamin Location: Los Angeles, California Enrollment: 43,871 (18,794 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: Over 130 undergraduate majors; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Pac 12 Conference Explore the Campus: USC Photo Tour For more information and admissions data, visit the USC profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for USC University of Washington at Seattle University of Washington. clpo13 / Flickr Location: Seattle, Washington Enrollment: 45,591 (30,933 undergraduates) Type of Institution: public university Distinctions: Largest university on the west coast; attractive campus on the shores of Portage and Union Bays; flagship campus of Washington's state university system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I Pac 12 Conference For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Washington at Seattle profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for UW Westmont College Voskuyl Prayer Chapel at Westmont College. Photo Credit: Brad Elliott Location: Santa Barbara, California Enrollment: 1,277 (all undergraduates) Type of Institution: private Christian liberal arts college Distinctions: 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 18; most students receive grant aid; strong study abroad and off-campus programs; member of the Christian College Consortium; attractive 115-acre campus For more information and admissions data, visit the Westmont College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Westmont Whitman College Whitman College. Joe Shlabotnik / Flickr Location: Walla Walla, Washington Enrollment: 1,493 (all undergraduate) Type of Institution: private liberal arts college Distinctions: 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; strong study abroad initiatives; academic collaborations with top schools such as Caltech, Columbia, Duke and Washington University; For more information and admissions data, visit the Whitman College profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Whitman Willamette University Walton Hall at Willamette University. Lorenzo Tlacaelel / Flickr Location: Salem, Oregon Enrollment: 2,556 (1,997 undergraduates) Type of Institution: private university Distinctions: Highly ranked undergraduate liberal arts college; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; most students receive grant aid; attractive 60-acre campus plus the 305-acre Willamette University Forest at Zena; easy access to nearby forests, mountains rivers, and coastline For more information and admissions data, visit the Willamette University profile GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Willamette Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Grove, Allen. "Top West Coast Colleges and Universities." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/top-west-coast-colleges-and-universities-788288. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). Top West Coast Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/top-west-coast-colleges-and-universities-788288 Grove, Allen. "Top West Coast Colleges and Universities." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/top-west-coast-colleges-and-universities-788288 (accessed June 8, 2023). copy citation