The Best West Coast Colleges

How true is the phrase "West Coast, Best Coast?" If you factor academia into the equation, you might have a strong argument that the West Coast does indeed reign supreme; it's objectively true that some of the country’s best universities can be found in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Keep reading to find out which universities are crowned PathIvy's "Best of the West."

 ● Stanford University: “Stanford has always been a wellspring of new ideas and innovative solutions, where curious people come to make a difference. But the scale and urgency of challenges facing us today require that Stanford amplify what has made us successful in the past and define new ways of making a difference. We are expanding avenues of discovery across all fields while creating new pathways for applying knowledge where it is needed in the world. At the same time we are ensuring that new ideas are grounded in ethics and solutions benefit from diverse perspectives.”

○ Location: Stanford, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1440–1570, 32-35

○ Acceptance Rate: 4%

● California Institute of Technology: “Caltech students come from all over the world, bringing diverse experiences, perspectives, and passions. They share an unbridled sense of curiosity and an extraordinary aptitude for science, engineering, and math that are nurtured in one of the world's most rigorous academic environments. A wide array of learning opportunities, hands-on research, and collaborations with faculty empower Caltech students to generate world-changing ideas and innovations.”

○ Location: Pasadena, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1530–1560, 35-36

○ Acceptance Rate: 6%

● University of California, Los Angeles: “You’re idealistic, driven and creative. You love learning and hearing different points of view. You feel empathy for others and believe everyone deserves a fair shot. You see obstacles as a chance to grow. You are a changemaker, just like us. Together? We’re unstoppable.”

○ Location: Los Angeles, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1300–1530, 27-34

○ Acceptance Rate: 12%

● University of California, Berkeley: “The University of California, Berkeley, is the No. 1 public university in the world. Over 35,000 students attend classes in 14 colleges and schools, offering 350 degree programs. Set the pace with your colleagues and community, and set the bar for giving back.”

○ Location: Berkeley, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1330–1530, 28-34

○ Acceptance Rate: 16%

● Pomona College: “Pomona College has everything you might expect from one of the nation’s finest liberal arts colleges: exceptional faculty, an intimate learning environment and a broad-based curriculum.”

○ Location: Claremont, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1390–1540, 32-35

○ Acceptance Rate: 7%

● Claremont McKenna College: “At Claremont McKenna College, our diverse intellectual and social community is fueled by a greater ambition—to put collaborative, responsive, and responsible leadership to work for everyone.”

○ Location: Claremont, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1360–1510

○ Acceptance Rate: 10%

● University of Southern California: “Since its founding in 1880, USC has grown into a top-tier private research institution, with all the resources of a large, urban university and the nurturing environment of a small liberal arts college. Students thrive in interdisciplinary, learner-centered curricula that uniquely prepare them to face the challenges of the 21st century.”

○ Location: Los Angeles, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1360–1530, 31-34

○ Acceptance Rate: 11%

● Harvey Mudd College: “We’re one of the premier engineering, science and mathematics colleges in the United States. We’re also unique because we are a liberal arts college. Aren’t engineering, science and mathematics mutually exclusive of the liberal arts? Maybe at some places, but not at Harvey Mudd.”

○ Location: Claremont, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1490–1570, 33-35

○ Acceptance Rate: 14%

● University of Washington: “This is the University of Washington, and our home is a stunning campus in the heart of an energetic and forward-thinking city. Our students are dreamers and doers, and together we aim to be the greatest public university in the world — as measured by our impact. Join us to unleash potential, create beauty and spark action.”

○ Location: Seattle, WA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 1220–1470, 27-33

○ Acceptance Rate: 52%

● Scripps College: “Located in the greater Los Angeles area at the heart of The Claremont Colleges, Scripps College delivers a rigorous liberal arts education that cultivates courage, creativity, and confidence. Studying at Scripps means learning with intelligent, inspiring women who challenge and support each other in everything they do.”

○ Location: Claremont, CA

○ SAT/ACT Range: 29–33

○ Acceptance Rate: 32%

The West Coast offers vast opportunities for a rigorous educational experience close to countless thriving industries. Do you see yourself on the West Coast? If so, reach out to a PathIvy counselor today to find your best fit and ensure you have the best strategy for admittance to one of these prestigious universities.

Written by Dr. Jessica White, PathIvy Team