The West was the last region of the United States to be settled.
Although numerous major metropolises are now thriving in this region, the West is still, in many ways, a symbol of adventure, determination, and pushing the frontier towards something greater.
For many people, this means seeking higher education to advance their career, pursue their interests, and fulfill a lifelong goal of earning a degree. Luckily, the regional universities in the West are some of the best in the nation.
No matter what academic field students wish to pursue, there's a region of the West that's perfectly suited to their interests. From agriculture in Oklahoma to cutting edge technology in Silicon Valley, from the thriving arts scene in Los Angeles to the many financial hubs in Texas, the West has a city, and a college, for every passion.
While cities on the East Coast have had hundreds of years to establish roots, the cities in the West are generally younger, and many are continuing to reinvent themselves as they grow. The innovative attitude that is the hallmark of the frontier is alive and well in these areas. Students with a pioneering spirit will find themselves at home in flourishing cities like Portland and Austin.
Places like San Francisco, Houston, and Denver have been world-class cities for decades, and they provide all the trappings of true city life: major centers for commerce and trade, a significant presence of culture and the arts, and of course, a distinctive personality that's unlike any other place in the world.
Outside of these urban hubs, there's still plenty of room to spread out: almost all of the Western states have a population density well below the national average. Home to an array of national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and many others, the West encompasses some of the most breathtaking natural beauty on the planet.
With an economic and cultural landscape that's just as diverse as the physical one, the West is the perfect place to launch a career by earning a bachelor's or master's degree.
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What are the best regional universities in the West?
What exactly is a regional university? Simply put, the defining difference between a regional university and a national university is the highest degree offered by that school. A national university grants degrees up through the doctorate level, while a regional university typically offers bachelor's and master's degrees (although some may have very limited doctorate programs).
In order to bring you this ranking of regional universities, we've taken into account numerous important factors that fall under the broad categories of institutional excellence and student success.
Under the umbrella of institutional excellence, we consider factors like incoming student test scores, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, institutional reputation, endowment size, and other key data points. For student success, we look at metrics such as typical tuition costs, average student indebtedness after graduation, projected early career salary for graduates, and the amount of financial aid available. After a careful assessment of all of these data points, we're pleased to present the following list of the very best regional universities in the West.
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
