TOP-RANKED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WITH THE BEST ROI: WESTERN U.S. REGION

The University of California Berkeley is the single highest ranked public university according to U.S. News and is one of the highest ranked schools in the entire country, public or private. This is the ultimate "Public Ivy" and serves not only as the flagship for California's state university system, but is the defacto flagship public university of the United States.

U.S. News Ranking: #1
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $1.18 Million
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $1.09 Million

The University of Washington is one of the public research universities considered a "Public Ivy" school for its high quality programs that rival many of the best private universities in the nation. The school is an elected member of the American Association of Universities, and is home to a great number of cutting edge research projects.

U.S. News Ranking: #16
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $904,300
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $832,200

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is the only university on this list whose rank among national universities was not published by U.S. News and World Report. However, it does have the single highest 30 year net ROI in the state of Alaska for public research universities and that ROI is also among the highest in the western region, making the school a high value option for college bound seniors.

U.S. News Ranking: Rank Not Published (National Universities, Top Public Schools)
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $841,300
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $792,200

The University of Colorado Boulder is situated on an urban campus just over 750 acres. The student population is just over 24,000 undergraduates and 5,000 postgraduates. The school features a massive honors program open to all students with a 3.3 or greater GPA. The honors program offers more than 40 classes each semester, and the class size for these honors classes is never greater than 15 students.

U.S. News Ranking: #36
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $838,700
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $748,100

This research university is the flagship university of the Utah state university system and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. The University of Utah boasts the state's only medical school and just over 24,000 undergraduate students.

U.S. News Ranking: #60
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $733,300
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $672,500

Featuring a student body of just under 10,000 students, the University of Idaho is one of the smaller flagship public research universities in the United States. The campus, however, is one of the largest among universities, situated on over 1,500 acres. The thriving Greek system is unique in that freshman may move in first semester, and at the time of this writing the students in the Greek housing have held the highest average GPA in the school for nine consecutive semesters.

U.S. News Ranking: #88
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $730,400
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $679,700

With just over 10,000 undergraduate students, Montana State University is one of the smallest public research universities classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having a very high research activity. The university offers baccalaureate degrees in 51 fields of study.

U.S. News Ranking: #117
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $729,200
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $669,800

The University of Arizona is a public research university and is one of the elected members of the Association of American Universities. The University of Arizona is also considered to be one of the nation's "Public Ivies" providing students with a high caliber education, at a public university price. The admittance rate is among the highest on any of our regional lists, making it one of the most accessible high quality universities in the country.

U.S. News Ranking: #58
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $708,300
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $641,900

This teaching and research university was founded in 1874 and boasts some of the most sophisticated research tools in the world in its research facilities. Over 15,000 undergraduates attend the university's eighteen colleges and schools.

U.S. News Ranking: #101
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $635,900
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $584,800

The university of Wyoming features 190 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, and 200 student clubs and organizations. The school is a public research university, and is situated in a beautiful area of Wyoming uniquely suited to the school's famous outdoor program.

U.S. News Ranking: #88
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $623,000
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $586,400