Best Value Western Colleges
There are 127 colleges in the West ranked by value using the same methodology as our national list. Rankings balance academic quality with the net price students typically pay.
California Institute of Technology leads West value rankings for 2027 with a 10 out of 10 academic rating and an average net price of $14,513. The top value public university is University of Washington Seattle Campus. Also high value: Pomona College, Stanford University and University of California Los Angeles.
Compare net price, aid, and academic ratings across the colleges below. See how value scores are calculated on our methodology page. Explore the regional list below or browse individual states.
University of California Merced
- Public 4 Year
- Merced, CA
-
3.0 | 1 reviews
- Nov 30 application deadline
UC Merced is a public university known for undergraduate engineering, biology, and psychology. The newest University of California campus is located in California's Central Valley.
- SAT Range 960-1140
- Avg GPA 3.55
- Acceptance Rate 91%
- Net Price $13,690