by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. The amount of financial aid you could receive at various schools, including some with high sticker prices, may surprise you.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 152 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones have the best value Bachelor's Degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
When determining the value of a school in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $0-$30k a year. The net price is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best value (income $0-$30k) school for bachelor’s degrees in the Far Western US Region in this year’s ranking. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California.
Stanford University has the honor of being ranked #1 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value.
Out of the 152 bachelor’s degree schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Claremont McKenna College landed the #2 spot on the list. Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California.
Not only is Claremont McKenna College a great value, but it is also ranked #5 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $249.
The quality degree programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school located in Seattle, Washington.
Not only is University of Washington - Seattle Campus a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Washington for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $4,516.
A rank of #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list means Pomona College is a great place for students working on their degree. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California.
Not only is Pomona College a great value, but it is also ranked #14 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $2,285.
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list means University of California - Los Angeles is a great place for students working on their degree. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Not only is University of California - Los Angeles a great value, but it is also ranked #6 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $6,772.
Read full value report on University of California - Los Angeles
San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in San Diego, California, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is San Diego State University a great value, but it is also ranked #18 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $1,133.
University of California - Berkeley ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Berkeley, California, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is University of California - Berkeley a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,594.
Foothill College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Los Altos Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Foothill College is ranked #7 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $6,458.
California State University - Fullerton landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California.
California State University - Fullerton has the honor of being ranked #35 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $705.
Read full value report on California State University - Fullerton
Washington State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large public school is located in Pullman, Washington.
Washington State University has the honor of being ranked #4 in Washington for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $2,325.
California Institute of Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is California Institute of Technology a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,755.
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California.
Not only is University of California - Irvine a great value, but it is also ranked #13 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,924.
With a ranking of #13, Pitzer College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Pitzer is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California.
Pitzer College has the honor of being ranked #36 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $985.
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #14. Located in La Jolla, California, the school is a large public institution.
University of California - San Diego has the honor of being ranked #9 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,954.
Learn More About Value at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Los Angeles came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and has a large student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Los Angeles is ranked #52 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $577.
Learn More About Value at California State University - Los Angeles
University of Southern California ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California.
University of Southern California has the honor of being ranked #2 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,404.
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.
California State University - San Bernardino has the honor of being ranked #63 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $428.
Read full value report on California State University - San Bernardino
With a ranking of #18, Seattle Central College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Seattle Central is located in Seattle, Washington and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Seattle Central College a great value, but it is also ranked #5 in Washington for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $4,875.
Western Washington University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Western Washington University is a fairly large public school located in Bellingham, Washington.
Not only is Western Washington University a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in Washington for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,885.
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Davis is ranked #10 for quality in the state of California. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,739.
North Seattle College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. North Seattle is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington.
Not only is North Seattle College a great value, but it is also ranked #9 in Washington for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,868.
California State University - Sacramento came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, the school is a large public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Sacramento is ranked #37 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $3,878.
Learn More About Value at California State University - Sacramento
Sonoma State University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school located in Rohnert Park, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Sonoma State University is ranked #59 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $1,831.
California State University - Long Beach came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, the school is a large public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Long Beach is ranked #28 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $5,399.
Read full value report on California State University - Long Beach
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is University of California - Santa Barbara a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,022.
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These schools also performed well in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Soka University of America | Aliso Viejo, CA | Value Report |
| 27 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA | Value Report |
| 28 | California State University - Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA | Value Report |
| 29 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland, WA | Value Report |
| 30 | California State University - Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | Value Report |
| 31 | California State University - Northridge | Northridge, CA | Value Report |
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.