How many liberal arts colleges are in the U.S.? This statistic can vary, depending on several factors, but generally, there are about 200 liberal arts colleges in the United States.
Liberal arts colleges emphasize the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences within their undergraduate curriculum. Students who attend liberal arts colleges gain exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines. In fact, oftentimes about half of their classes fall outside of their major.
The majority of liberal arts colleges in the United States are found on the East coast. That said, this article is dedicated to exploring some of the best liberal arts colleges on the West Coast — as well as top liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, top liberal arts colleges in the Pacific Northwest, and more.
Liberal arts colleges on the West Coast, especially small liberal arts colleges on the West Coast, can be very selective. Ultimately, this is why it is important to understand holistic college admissions factors, including extracurricular activities and volunteer hours.
In this section, we will review some of the best liberal arts colleges in the West. For each of the West Coast liberal arts colleges, we will provide the college’s:
The following section features 30 of the best west coast liberal arts colleges, broken down by state and alphabetized. So if you are interested in learning more about liberal arts colleges in the West, read on for key facts and figures.
Prescott College is located in Prescott, Arizona, and has an undergraduate population of 503. Its overall acceptance rate is 97% and its annual tuition and fees are $33,669. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Prescott College is ranked #94 among the Best Regional Universities in the West.
Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, California, and has an undergraduate population of 1,262. Its overall acceptance rate is 13% and its annual tuition and fees are $58,111. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Claremont McKenna College is ranked as #8 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Concordia University (Irvine) is located in Irvine, California, and has an undergraduate population of 1,704. Its overall acceptance rate is 78% and its annual tuition and fees are $38,740. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Concordia University is tied for #55 among the Best Regional Universities in the West.
Fresno Pacific University is located in Fresno, California, and has an undergraduate population of 2,906. Its overall acceptance rate is 65% and its annual tuition and fees are $32,977. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Fresno Pacific University is tied for #55 among the Best Regional Universities in the West.
Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, California, and has an undergraduate population of 854. Its overall acceptance rate is 18% and its annual tuition and fees are $60,703. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Harvey Mudd College is ranked #28 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, California, and has an undergraduate population of 6,673. Its overall acceptance rate is 50% and its annual tuition and fees are $53,051. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Loyola Marymount University is tied for #75 for Best National Universities in the country.
Mills College is located in Oakland, California, and has an undergraduate population of 609. Its overall acceptance rate is 84% and its annual tuition and fees are $30,950. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Mills College is tied for #10 among the Best Regional Universities in the West.
Mount St. Mary’s University is located in Los Angeles, California, and has an undergraduate population of 2,071. Its overall acceptance rate is 80% and its annual tuition and fees are $44,750. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Mount St. Mary’s University is tied for #44 among the Best Regional Universities in the North.
Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, California, and has an undergraduate population of 1,839. Its overall acceptance rate is 41% and its annual tuition and fees are $58,426. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Occidental College is tied at #42 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Pitzer College is located in Claremont, California, and has an undergraduate population of 922. Its overall acceptance rate is 17% and its annual tuition and fees are $57,978. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Pitzer College is tied for #35 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, California, and has an undergraduate population of 3,216. Its overall acceptance rate is 84% and its annual tuition and fees are $39,500. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Point Loma Nazarene University is tied for #12 for Best Regional Universities in the West.
Pomona College is located in Claremont, California, and has an undergraduate population of 1,477. Its overall acceptance rate is 9% and its annual tuition and fees are $56,686. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Pomona College is ranked as #4 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Scripps College is located in Claremont, California, and has an undergraduate population of 936. Its overall acceptance rate is 35% and its annual tuition and fees are $58,442. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Scripps College is tied for #30 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Soka University of America is located in Aliso Viejo, California, and has an undergraduate population of 392. Its overall acceptance rate is 52% and its annual tuition and fees are 34,166. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Soka University of America is ranked as #29 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, California, and has an undergraduate population of 462. Its overall acceptance rate is 86% and its annual tuition and fees are $26,000. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Thomas Aquinas College is tied for #42 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
University of San Diego is located in San Diego, California, and has an undergraduate population of 5,529. Its overall acceptance rate is 59% and its annual tuition and fees are $52,864. According to the U.S. News College ranking, University of San Diego is tied for #93 for Best National Universities in the country.
Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has an undergraduate population of 2,025. Its overall acceptance rate is 14% and its annual tuition and fees are $62,070. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Colorado College is ranked #26 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has an undergraduate population of 4,307. Its overall acceptance rate is 13%. There is no cost to attend; however, students are required to serve in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force for a period of time. According to the U.S. News College ranking, the United States Air Force Academy is tied #22 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
St. John’s College is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has an undergraduate population of 269. Its overall acceptance rate is 69% and its annual tuition and fees are $36,410. According to the U.S. News College ranking, St. John’s College is tied for #75 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
George Fox University is located in Newberg, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 2,481. Its overall acceptance rate is 91% and its annual tuition and fees are $38,520. According to the U.S. News College ranking, George Fox University is tied for #213 for Best National Universities in the country.
Lewis & Clark College is located in Portland, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 1,830. Its overall acceptance rate is 81% and its annual tuition and fees are $57,404. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Lewis & Clark College is tied for #82 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Linfield College is located in McMinnville, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 1,392. Its overall acceptance rate is 80% and its annual tuition and fees are $45,962. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Linfield College is tied for #117 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Reed College is located in Portland, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 1,457. Its overall acceptance rate is 39% and its annual tuition and fees are $60,620. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Reed College is tied for #62 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Warner Pacific University is located in Portland, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 401. Its overall acceptance rate is 97% and its annual tuition and fees are $19,860. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Warner Pacific University is ranked as #9 for Best Regional Universities in the West.
Willamette University is located in Salem, Oregon, and has an undergraduate population of 1,303. Its overall acceptance rate is 80% and its annual tuition and fees are $44,306. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Willamette University is tied for #71 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
The Evergreen State College is located in Olympia, Washington, and has an undergraduate population of 2,576. Its overall acceptance rate is 98%; its annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,325 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,515. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Evergreen State College is ranked as #50 for Best Regional Universities in the West.
Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington, and has an undergraduate population of 4,852. Its overall acceptance rate is 73% and its annual tuition and fees are $48,470. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Gonzaga University is tied for #79 for Best National Universities in the country.
University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, Washington, and has an undergraduate population of 4,852. Its overall acceptance rate is 86% and its annual tuition and fees are $55,670. According to the U.S. News College ranking, University of Puget Sound is tied for #85 for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Whitman College is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and has an undergraduate population of 1,360. Its overall acceptance rate is 54% and its annual tuition and fees are $55,982. Whitman College is not ranked by U.S. News.
Whitworth University is located in Spokane, Washington, and has an undergraduate population of 2,368. Its overall acceptance rate is 91% and its annual tuition and fees are $47,590. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Whitworth University is ranked as #4 for Best Regional Universities in the West.
There are lots of benefits to attending a liberal arts college. In fact, you might want to consider liberal arts colleges in the East as well. Liberal arts colleges offer students a well-rounded education while fostering creative and critical thinking skills.
They also have small class sizes, which lend themselves to discussion-based classes. Students often receive a lot of individualized attention from their professors, who are known for prioritizing their teaching duties above their own research projects, thus setting them apart from professors at larger, research universities.
College application season can be a stressful time for students. If you feel like you could benefit from more guidance, you may want to consider hiring a college counselor. Here at Prepory, we have all the resources you’ll need to succeed; reach out to learn more about our services.
Many of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States are on the West Coast, despite the fact that most are on the East Coast. You should be aware that small liberal arts colleges on the West Coast can be extremely competitive. It's for these reasons that holistic college admissions considerations, such as extracurricular activities and volunteer hours, are so critical.
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Public colleges and universities offer subsidized tuition, offer a wide range of academic programs, have diverse student bodies, and provide prestigious research opportunities. Ultimately, this is why public universities are a better choice for many college students. In this article, we will provide key facts and figures for 25 of the best public universities in the West.
Coming up with your initial college list is an important step in the college application process. For many students, public universities in the West are at the top of their lists. Public colleges and universities offer affordable in-state tuition rates, a wide range of academic programs, diverse student bodies, and prestigious research opportunities.
Many of the top public universities in the US are West Coast colleges. This means that if you are interested in attending one of the best public universities in the West — such as California Polytechnic State University or California State University in Long Beach — you will need to write a unique college essay and focus on your extracurricular activities and volunteer hours.
In this article, we will review some of the top colleges on the West Coast, as well as provide you with key facts and figures concerning.
There are approximately 5,300 institutions of higher learning in the US. But how many public colleges are in the US? According to Education Unlimited®, there are 1,626 public colleges and universities. Many of these colleges are clustering along the West Coast, particularly in the state of California.
This statistic can vary depending on various factors and criteria. That said, it’s important to note that over 2 million students currently attend college in California.
The California State University system has 23 campuses in different parts of the state and the University of California system has 10 college campuses. Additionally, the California community college system includes 116 colleges.
There are several reasons why public universities are better for many college students. One of the biggest factors is affordability. Because public colleges and universities receive state and federal funding, in-state tuition is subsidized. Attending college is a huge financial commitment, so it makes sense that financial factors play a large role in where students choose to attend.
In addition to their overall affordability, public colleges and universities tend to have more diverse student bodies and offer a wider range of academic programs than private schools. Many public universities also have ample research funding. Because of this, some public universities, particularly the top public universities in the country are known for their prestigious research opportunities.
Are you wondering what are the top public universities in the West?
In this section, we will review key facts and figures for the best public universities in the West. For each of these top West Coast schools, we will include its:
If you are interested in learning more about top West Coast colleges, refer to the top 25 West Coast colleges and universities, as ranked by U.S. News.
California Polytechnic State University, also known as Cal Poly, is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and has an acceptance rate of 38% and an undergraduate population of 21,447. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,658 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,116. According to the U.S. News, California Polytechnic State University is #1 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #2 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Long Beach, California, has an acceptance rate of 42% and an undergraduate population of 33,919. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $6,846 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,142. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Long Beach) is #2 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #12 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, has an acceptance rate of 65% and an undergraduate population of 27,911. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,438 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,318. According to the U.S. News, California State Polytechnic University is #3 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #14 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington, and has an acceptance rate of 94% and an undergraduate population of 14,194. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,703 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $25,930. According to the U.S. News, Western Washington University is #4 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #14 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Fullerton, California, has an acceptance rate of 68% and an undergraduate population of 36,770. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $6,975 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,632. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Fullerton) is #5 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #19 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
New Mexico Tech, is located in Socorro, New Mexico, and has an acceptance rate of 97% and an undergraduate population of 1,229. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,425 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $24,254. According to the U.S. News, New Mexico Tech is #6 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #20 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
San José State University is located in San Jose, California, and has an acceptance rate of 67% and an undergraduate population of 27,702. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,852 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,466. According to the U.S. News, San Jose State University is #7 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #22 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Los Angeles, California, has an acceptance rate of 76% and an undergraduate population of 22,566. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $6,782 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,662. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Los Angeles) is #8 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #23 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University (Monterey Bay) is located in Seaside, California, and has an acceptance rate of 86% and an undergraduate population of 6,519. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,143 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,023. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Monterey Bay) is #9 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #25 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
The University of Washington in Bothell, Washington, has an acceptance rate of 74% and an undergraduate population of 5,350. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $11,649 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $39,018. According to the U.S. News, the University of Washington (Bothell) is #10 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #27 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California, and has an acceptance rate of 84% and an undergraduate population of 24,025. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,484 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,364. According to the U.S. News, San Francisco State University is #11 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #29 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California Polytechnic State University (Humboldt) is located in Arcata, California, and has an acceptance rate of 83% and an undergraduate population of 5,869. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,870 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $16,124. According to the U.S. News, California Polytechnic State University (Humboldt) is tied for #12 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #30 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University (Stanislaus) is located in Turlock, California, and has an acceptance rate of 89% and an undergraduate population of 9,903. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,644 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,524. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Stanislaus) is tied for #12 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #30 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
The University of Washington in Tacoma, Washington, has an acceptance rate of 87% and an undergraduate population of 4,588. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $11,889 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $39,258. According to the U.S. News, the University of Washington (Tacoma) is tied for #12 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #30 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
Montana Technological University is located in Butte, Montana, and has an acceptance rate of 96% and an undergraduate population of 2,110. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,397 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,560. According to the U.S. News, Montana Technological University is #15 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #35 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in San Bernardino, California, has an acceptance rate of 78% and an undergraduate population of 17,123. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,046 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $13,629. According to the U.S. News, California State University (San Bernardino) is tied for #16 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #37 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert, California, and has an acceptance rate of 89% and an undergraduate population of 7,255. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,988 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,114. According to the U.S. News, Sonoma State University is tied for #16 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #37 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Chico, California, has an acceptance rate of 90% and an undergraduate population of 15,676. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,776 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,686. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Chico) is tied for #18 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #39 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University (Northridge) is located in Northridge, California, and has an acceptance rate of 65% and an undergraduate population of 34,741. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $6,747 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,897. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Northridge) is tied for #18 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #39 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University (Channel Islands) is located in Camarillo, California, and has an acceptance rate of 86% and an undergraduate population of 7,112. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $6,802 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,682. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Channel Islands) is tied for #20 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #41 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in San Marcos, California, has an acceptance rate of 79% and an undergraduate population of 13,962. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,712 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,216. According to the U.S. News, California State University (San Marcos) is tied for #20 for 2022 Top Public Schools and tied for #21 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Sacramento, California, has an acceptance rate of 83% and an undergraduate population of 28,697. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $9,068 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $16,988. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Sacramento) is tied for #22 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #46 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, Washington, and has an acceptance rate of 85% and an undergraduate population of 10,353. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,733 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $23,809. According to the U.S. News, Central Washington University is tied for #22 for 2022 Top Public Schools and is tied at #46 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
The Evergreen State College is located in Olympia, Washington, and has an acceptance rate of 98% and an undergraduate population of 2,576. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,325 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,515. According to the U.S. News, the Evergreen State College is #24 for 2022 Top Public Schools and #50 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
California State University in Bakersfield, California, has an acceptance rate of 78% and an undergraduate population of 9,979. Its annual in-state tuition and fees are $7,582 and its annual out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,086. According to the U.S. News, California State University (Bakersfield) is #25 for 2022 Top Public Schools and is tied for #51 for 2022 Best Regional Universities in the West.
Many students favor public colleges and universities due to their affordability (especially in regards to in-state tuition), diverse student bodies, and ample world-class research opportunities. There are lots of colleges on the West Coast, many of which are notable public universities. In fact, some of the top West Coast public universities are among the most prestigious public universities in the US.
Regardless of where you are in the college application process, here at Prepory, we have the resources to help. College application season can be a stressful time. This is why it’s important to stay organized and keep track of important college admissions dates. Consider reaching out to learn more about our services. Whether you are interested in tips and resources for college freshmen or are considering transferring colleges, Prepory can provide you with the professional, one-on-one guidance that you need.
