Lens covers 15 smaller public universities on the West Coast, all public. They range from Oregon Institute of Technology (2,892 undergraduates) to California State University, San Marcos (14,877). Acceptance rates run from 83% to 98%, and 15 of the 15 admit at least half of applicants.
Smaller public universities here have fewer than 15,000 undergraduates (IPEDS). In Lens, the West Coast means California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Open these 15 colleges in the College Filter → Narrow them by cost at your rate, majors, size and more.
The 15 smaller public universities on the West Coast
Listed A to Z. Lens never ranks colleges.
| College | Location | Undergraduates | Acceptance rate | Tuition & fees (before aid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University, Bakersfield | Bakersfield, California | 8,577 | 94% | $8,090 in-state · $20,690 out-of-state |
| California State University, Chico | Chico, California | 13,631 | 93% | $8,472 in-state · $21,072 out-of-state |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | Carson, California | 12,538 | 93% | $7,449 in-state · $20,049 out-of-state |
| California State University, East Bay | Hayward, California | 9,809 | 97% | $7,583 in-state · $20,183 out-of-state |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | Seaside, California | 6,819 | 97% | $7,779 in-state · $20,379 out-of-state |
| California State University, San Marcos | San Marcos, California | 14,877 | 95% | $8,082 in-state · $20,682 out-of-state |
| California State University, Stanislaus | Turlock, California | 8,385 | 98% | $8,246 in-state · $20,846 out-of-state |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 7,833 | 91% | $9,417 in-state · $27,526 out-of-state |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney, Washington | 6,222 | 91% | $8,586 in-state · $25,959 out-of-state |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls, Oregon | 2,892 | 95% | $13,260 in-state · $37,196 out-of-state |
| Portland State University | Portland, Oregon | 13,182 | 91% | $11,679 in-state · $31,074 out-of-state |
| Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, California | 5,166 | 93% | $8,624 in-state · $21,224 out-of-state |
| University of Washington–Bothell | Bothell, Washington | 5,457 | 91% | $12,919 in-state · $43,155 out-of-state |
| University of Washington–Tacoma | Tacoma, Washington | 4,185 | 83% | $13,168 in-state · $43,404 out-of-state |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, Washington | 13,544 | 93% | $9,582 in-state · $28,707 out-of-state |
Sources: IPEDS (fall 2024 enrollment and admissions); College Scorecard (published tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Related lists
- Smaller Public Universities
- Smaller Public Universities in the Northeast
- Smaller Public Universities in the Southeast
- Smaller Public Universities in the Midwest
- Smaller Public Universities in the South and Southwest
- Smaller Public Universities in the Mountain West
- Liberal Arts Colleges on the West Coast
- Large Public Universities on the West Coast
- Smaller Private Universities on the West Coast
- Catholic Colleges on the West Coast
- Christian Colleges on the West Coast
- Colleges with Big-Time Sports on the West Coast
- Division I Colleges on the West Coast
- Division II Colleges on the West Coast
FAQ
Which smaller public universities on the West Coast admit at least half of applicants? 15 of the 15: California State University, Bakersfield, California State University, Chico, California State University, Dominguez Hills, California State University, East Bay, California State University, Monterey Bay, California State University, San Marcos, California State University, Stanislaus, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Sonoma State University and 3 more (fall 2024).
What are the largest and smallest smaller public universities on the West Coast? California State University, San Marcos is the largest, with 14,877 undergraduates, and Oregon Institute of Technology is the smallest, with 2,892 (fall 2024).
Where these numbers come from
Lens covers the 850 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges that receive the most applications, so some smaller colleges are not listed. Enrollment, acceptance rates and degrees come from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education, fall 2024); published prices from the College Scorecard. Each college's page lists its own sources. See the data behind Lens.