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2024 Best Schools for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

341 Colleges
$4,698 Avg Net Price (With Aid)*
90% Discount Rate*

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision. Due to the amount of income-based financial aid available, many 'high-priced' schools are more affordable than you think.

In This Year's Value Report:

Choosing the Best School for You

Our analysis looked at 341 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones have the best value programs. Our ranking for the best value schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Our Methodology

When determining the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $30-$48k 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. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how much it costs.

To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.

Additional Rankings

You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.

Without Aid Best Value Degrees
With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
To get a better picture of the best value schools for your income range or for whether or not you'll receive aid, click on one of the tiles above. Are you more interested in the best value schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.

Best Value Schools (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $30-$48k) school in the Far Western US Region for overall quality. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Stanford University has the honor of being ranked #1 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value.

Read full value report on Stanford University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Caltech is located in Pasadena, California and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is California Institute of Technology a great value, but it is also ranked #5 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,371.

Full California Institute of Technology Value Report

3

Out of the 341 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington 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 Washington - Seattle Campus is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Washington. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,082.

Learn More About Value at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

4
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pomona College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Pomona is located in Claremont, California and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is Pomona College a great value, but it is also ranked #13 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,508.

Full Pomona College Value Report

5

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 $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California.

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 $30-$48k per year is $7,882.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Value Report

6
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

Claremont McKenna College landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Claremont McKenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Claremont, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Claremont McKenna College is ranked #4 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $9,160.

Read full value report on Claremont McKenna College

7

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and has a large student population. 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. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $10,880.

Full University of California - Berkeley Value Report

8
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

San Diego State University has the honor of being ranked #21 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $2,563.

Learn More About Value at San Diego State University

9
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Golden West College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Golden West College is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington Beach, California.

Golden West College has the honor of being ranked #27 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $3,515.

Learn More About Value at Golden West College

10

University of California - Irvine landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Irvine is ranked #14 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $7,006.

Full University of California - Irvine Value Report

11
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #11. Pullman, Washington 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, Washington State University is ranked #3 for quality in the state of Washington. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,968.

Read full value report on Washington State University

12
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #12, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the school is a large private not-for-profit institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Southern California is ranked #3 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $12,875.

Learn More About Value at University of Southern California

13

California State University - Fullerton ranked #13 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Fullerton, California, the school is a large public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Fullerton is ranked #48 for quality in the state of California. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $2,681.

Read full value report on California State University - Fullerton

14

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #14. Los Angeles, 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, California State University - Los Angeles is ranked #76 for quality in the state of California. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,316.

Learn More About Value at California State University - Los Angeles

15
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

West Valley College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. West Valley College is a public institution located in Saratoga, California.

West Valley College has the honor of being ranked #77 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,394.

Learn More About Value at West Valley College

16

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. 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. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,192.

Learn More About Value at University of California - San Diego

17
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

Southwestern College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Chula Vista, California, the school is a fairly large public institution.

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 $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $4,452.

Full Southwestern College Value Report

18

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large public school is located in San Bernardino, California.

California State University - San Bernardino has the honor of being ranked #97 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $901.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Value Report

19
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Moreno Valley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Moreno Valley College has the honor of being ranked #95 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,113.

Learn More About Value at Moreno Valley College

20
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California

Foothill College landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, the school is a fairly large public institution.

Not only is Foothill College a great value, but it is also ranked #19 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,214.

Learn More About Value at Foothill College

21
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

With a ranking of #21, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. 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 #5 in Washington for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $4,818.

Full Western Washington University Value Report

22
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

With a ranking of #22, Ventura College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California.

Not only is Ventura College a great value, but it is also ranked #117 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $282.

Read full value report on Ventura College

23
Pasadena City College crest
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California

Pasadena City College landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Pasadena, California, the school is a large public institution.

Not only is Pasadena City College a great value, but it is also ranked #59 in California for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $3,697.

Read full value report on Pasadena City College

24
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. Claremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.

The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $4,759.

Read full value report on Pitzer College

25

University of California - Davis landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Davis, California, the school is a large public institution.

Not only is University of California - Davis a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in California for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,011.

Read full value report on University of California - Davis

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
29
Harvey Mudd College Crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, California
30
Honolulu CC Crest
Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, Hawaii
31
College of the Canyons Crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California
32
Saddleback College Crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California
33
SSU Crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

34
CPTC Crest
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, Washington

35
36
Fresno City College Crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California
37
Mt. SAC Crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California
38
SRJC Crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California
39
40
Moorpark College Crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, California
41
SAC Crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California
42
Cerritos College Crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
43
Riverside City College Crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

44

45
Orange Coast College Crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California
46
MiraCosta College Crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California
47
SMC Crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, California
48
Grossmont College Crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, California
49
50
Canada College Crest
Canada College
Redwood City, California

View Best Value Schools (Income $30-$48k) Nationwide >

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value Schools (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

Rank College Location Value
51 Los Medanos College Pittsburg, CA Value Report
52 Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA Value Report

All Majors and Fields of Study >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region ranking:

Rank College Location Value
53 Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA Value Report
54 Renton Technical College Renton, WA Value Report
55 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA Value Report
56 Heritage University Toppenish, WA Value Report
57 Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA Value Report
58 Coastline Community College Fountain Valley, CA Value Report
59 Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles, CA Value Report
60 Cypress College Cypress, CA Value Report
61 College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV Value Report
62 Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA Value Report
63 Portland Community College Portland, OR Value Report
64 San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA Value Report
65 Mission College Santa Clara, CA Value Report
66 Mendocino College Ukiah, CA Value Report
67 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Value Report
Rank College Location Value
68 Norco College Norco, CA Value Report
69 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA Value Report

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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