2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 105 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Spokane Falls Community College to be the best value school for teaching students in the Far Western US Region . Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 107 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,790 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Spokane Falls Community College graduates make an average of $31,050 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Irvine, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 528 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Concordia University, Irvine are $38,740 per year. On average, students take out $24,323 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $600. During the early years of their career, Concordia University, Irvine graduates make an average of $48,407 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Concordia University, Irvine is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brandman University is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Irvine, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 917 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Brandman are $12,480 per year. On average, students take out $29,571 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Brandman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,858 during the early years of their career.
Brandman excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Out of the 105 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Seattle U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 141 degrees in 2020-2021.
Seattle U undergraduate students pay an average of $49,335 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,543 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Seattle U graduates make an average of $51,066 annually.
Seattle U excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Heritage University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Heritage University is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Toppenish, Washington that handed out 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Heritage University are $18,500 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,537 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Heritage University graduates make an average of $48,496 annually.
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 211 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PLNU are $39,500 per year. On average, students take out $22,219 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $685. Once they receive their degree, PLNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,716 during the early year of their career.
Clark College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. Clark College is a medium-sized public school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 18 degrees in 2020-2021.
Clark College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,133 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,706 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Clark College graduates make an average of $35,720 annually.
City University of Seattle did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #8 on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 218 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CityU are $13,658 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,693 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CityU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,145 during the early year of their career.
Whitworth University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #9 on the list. Whitworth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Whitworth are $47,590 per year. On average, students take out $26,989 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $541 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Whitworth graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,444 during the early year of their career.
Gonzaga University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 100 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gonzaga are $48,470 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,118 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $773.After graduating from Gonzaga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,213 during the early years of their career.
Gonzaga also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Fresno Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Fresno, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 195 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Fresno Pacific are $33,452 a year. On average, students take out $26,029 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $215 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fresno Pacific graduates make an average of $50,730 annually.
Fresno Pacific excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Notre Dame de Namur University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. NDNU is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Belmont, California. It awarded 57 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NDNU are $19,740 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,287 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $542, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NDNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,729 during the early year of their career.
National University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,121 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at National University are $13,320 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,362 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198.After graduating from National University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,580 during the early years of their career.
College of Southern Nevada came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. College of Southern Nevada is a large public school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 160 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSN are $11,534 a year. On average, students take out $14,327 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CSN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,877 during the early years of their career.
California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 843 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sac State are $19,272 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,924 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Sac State graduates make an average of $45,098 annually.
California State University - Long Beach landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 222 degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB undergraduate students pay an average of $18,726 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,702 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CSULB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,445 during the early years of their career.
California Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal Baptist is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 375 degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist undergraduate students pay an average of $37,018 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $29,767 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $503 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal Baptist graduates make an average of $44,426 annually.
Dominican University of California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #17 on the list. DUofC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Rafael, California. It awarded 15 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DUofC are $47,910 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $27,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $734, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DUofC graduates make an average of $53,232 annually.
Santa Clara University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. Santa Clara University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Santa Clara, California that handed out 140 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SCU are $55,860 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,104 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $657 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $67,441 during the early years of their career.
SCU also took the #4 spot in our Best Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region rankings.
The University of Arizona Global Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 1,904 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UAGC are $14,278 per year. On average, students take out $37,792 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UAGC graduates make an average of $38,029 annually.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 473 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Loyola Marymount are $53,051 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,811 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $821, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Loyola Marymount, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,301 during the early years of their career.
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 225 students in 2020-2021.
CSUSB undergraduate students pay an average of $19,093 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $18,358 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $137.After graduating from CSUSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,226 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Fullerton ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 982 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal State Fullerton are $18,856 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,875 during the early years of their career.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 327 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Azusa Pacific are $41,510 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,855 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $276, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Azusa Pacific graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,840 during the early year of their career.
Nevada State College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Henderson, Nevada is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NSC are $19,440 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,936 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NSC graduates make an average of $42,494 annually.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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