by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision. This list may shock you as many typically expensive schools are very generous with need-based financial aid.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 350 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones have the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
When determining the value of a school in our Best 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 include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.
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:
Stanford University tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $0-$30k) school in the Far Western US Region for overall quality. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Stanford, California.
Not only is Stanford University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in California for overall quality.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Claremont McKenna College. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Claremont McKenna is located in Claremont, California and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Claremont McKenna College a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $249.
Out of the 350 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Pomona College landed the #3 spot on the list. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California.
Pomona College has the honor of being ranked #13 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 $2,285.
The quality degree programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus has the honor of being ranked #1 in Washington 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 $4,516.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the school is a large public institution.
University of California - Los Angeles has the honor of being ranked #6 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 $6,772.
Read full value report on University of California - Los Angeles
San Diego State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, San Diego State University is ranked #21 for quality in the state of California. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,133.
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Not only is University of California - Berkeley a great value, but it is also ranked #2 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,594.
Learn More About Value at University of California - Berkeley
Washington State University landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Washington State University is ranked #3 for quality in the state of Washington. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $2,325.
California State University - Fullerton ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and has a large student population. It is a public school.
Not only is California State University - Fullerton a great value, but it is also ranked #48 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $705.
Learn More About Value at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #10, Pitzer College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Claremont, California.
The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $985.
With a ranking of #11, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California.
University of California - Irvine has the honor of being ranked #14 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 $5,924.
California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Pasadena, California, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
California Institute of Technology has the honor of being ranked #5 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 $10,755.
Read full value report on California Institute of Technology
Golden West College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Huntington Beach, California, the school is a fairly large public institution.
Not only is Golden West College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $3,213.
University of California - San Diego landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
University of California - San Diego has the honor of being ranked #8 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 $7,954.
Learn More About Value at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school located in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Los Angeles is ranked #76 for quality in the state of California. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $577.
With a ranking of #16, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California.
Not only is University of Southern California a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $12,404.
Southwestern College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. SWC Chula Vista is a public institution located in Chula Vista, California.
Southwestern College has the honor of being ranked #36 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 $3,657.
With a ranking of #18, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Not only is California State University - San Bernardino a great value, but it is also ranked #97 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $428.
Learn More About Value at California State University - San Bernardino
Moreno Valley College landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Moreno Valley College is ranked #95 for quality in the state of California. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $551.
Western Washington University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. WWU is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington.
Not only is Western Washington University 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 $3,885.
Foothill College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Foothill College is a fairly large public school located in Los Altos Hills, California.
Foothill College has the honor of being ranked #19 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 $6,458.
Pasadena City College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. This large public school is located in Pasadena, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Pasadena City College 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 $2,960.
West Valley College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #23. West Valley College is a public institution located in Saratoga, California.
Not only is West Valley College a great value, but it is also ranked #77 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,967.
With a ranking of #24, Ventura College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Ventura College a great value, but it is also ranked #117 in California for overall quality.
With a ranking of #25, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region list. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Davis is ranked #11 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.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Value
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham, WA | Value Report |
| 52 | Coastline Community College | Fountain Valley, CA | Value Report |
| 53 | Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA | Value Report |
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These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region ranking:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Canada College | Redwood City, CA | Value Report |
| 55 | Los Medanos College | Pittsburg, CA | Value Report |
| 56 | Yuba College | Marysville, CA | Value Report |
| 57 | California State University - Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | Value Report |
| 58 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA | Value Report |
| 59 | College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | Value Report |
| 60 | Portland Community College | Portland, OR | Value Report |
| 61 | University of California - Riverside | Riverside, CA | Value Report |
| 62 | Norco College | Norco, CA | Value Report |
| 63 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland, WA | Value Report |
| 64 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Value Report |
| 65 | Mission College | Santa Clara, CA | Value Report |
| 66 | San Diego Miramar College | San Diego, CA | Value Report |
| 67 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Value Report |
| 68 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA | Value Report |
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | California State University - Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | Value Report |
| 70 | Mt. Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | Value Report |
| 71 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Value Report |
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.