There are many lists out there that rank colleges and universities. It is important to know the source of this information and what the criteria of the survey. In this article we will list some of the top colleges located in the Northwest region of the US. They are not listed in any particular order. We have also listed some of the rankings that they have earned and why they are considered one of the top colleges in the Northwest. These ranking lists were conducted by the Princeton Review in their review of 224 colleges and universities in 2006.
Top Colleges in the Northwest
1. University of Oregon in Eugene, OR
#6 Best Quality of Life
2. Seattle University in Seattle, WA
#17 Best Quality of Life
3. Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID
#16 Professors Get High Marks
4. Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA
#7 Students Pack the Stadiums
5. Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR
#5 Most Politically Active
#7 Great College Towns
#17 Birkenstock-Wearing, Tree-Hugging, Clove-Smoking Vegetarians
6. Reed College in Portland, OR
#1 Best Overall Academic Experience
#7 Class Discussions Encouraged
#9 Professors Get High Marks
#1 Their Students Never Stop Studying
#18 Gay Community Accepted
#19 Best College Radio Station
#6 Birkenstock-Wearing, Tree-Hugging, Clove-Smoking Vegetarians
7. The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA
#20 Best College Radio Station
#4 Birkenstock-Wearing, Tree-Hugging, Clove-Smoking Vegetarians
8. University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA
#12 Best College Radio Station
9. Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA
#5 Best College Library
#15 Best Overall Academic Experience
#2 School Runs Like Butter
#20 Their Students Never Stop Studying
#12 Lots of Race/Class Interaction
#13 Best College Radio Station
#10 Best College Theatre
#5 Best Quality of Life
#10 Dorms Like Palaces
#2 Happiest Students
As you can see there are many different ways to rate and rank colleges and universities. You have to choose the criteria that are most important to you when you are choosing a school for your advanced education. What makes a college or university the best choice for you does not necessarily make it the best choice for your friend, cousin, or another student. This is why it is important to research schools that fit into the criteria that you set and demand for yourself and your own education. Once you are able to narrow down your choices based on your own criteria, you will find yourself with a much shorter list of college options that will permit you to make a more educated decision on which school is best for you, your personal goals, and your professional goals.
Kristie Lorette
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/top-schools-in-the-northwest-see-the-rankings-87946.html
#1 by Michelle P on July 19, 2010 - 2:57 am
Rank the Pac 10 Schools Based on Most Desirable Location?
University of Arizona (Tucson)
Arizona State (Tempe)
California (Berkeley)
University of Oregon (Eugene)
Oregon State (Corvallis)
Stanford (Palo Alto)
UCLA (Westwood/Los Angeles)
USC (Los Angeles)
University of Washington (Seattle)
Washington State (Pullman)
If possible, give a reason for your rankings
I am not choosing a college based on just location – I wanted to get some feedback on any of these schools, especially the ones in the Northwest. I’m very interested in University of Washington, University of Oregon, Washington State, and Oregon State. How are these schools academically? How is their reputation on the West Coast?
Business, Economics, or Journalism
#2 by justin b on July 19, 2010 - 7:59 am
You left out one detail. What are you majoring in?
References :
#3 by siscot2005 on July 19, 2010 - 8:01 am
1.Berkeley – Great Location, Awesome Acedemics, Great looking Campus, Can sense the Intelligence on Campus.
2. Standford – Great School, Great Location, When you step on campus you can sense the stress of the students! If you want to study business that don’t have an undergraduate program only Masters.
3. USC/UCLA – Great Schools, Neighborhoods off of Campus as VERY shady!
4.U of Washington – Great School, Love the Campus ( I am from washington), right in the middle of Seattle, Very diverse campus. This is a VERY competitive school, so it has a reputation of being a fantastic school!
5. U of Oregon – Great School acedemically, never visieted the campus.
6. U of Arizona – Good school acedemically, never visited Campus.
7. Washington State – Eh okay acedemically, but has great vetrinary program. In the middle of nowhere eastern Washington, where the weather goes from freezing to 100 degrees. So its definately a college town, the students bleed crimson (the school color).
8. Oregon State – Don’t know that much
9. Arizona State – I go here, I passed on all of the schools above because I wanted to slack, and I regrett it! When you step on the campus you get the sense of "when is the next party" or "I am so hungover". If you like to party this may be your place, the students party every day of the week and most don’t go to class unless there is an exam. Not a lot of school pride either.
If you are lookign for a good school acedemically on the west coast don’t forget about Gonzaga! Its a private school, but is very good acedemically!
Good Luck! Hope this helps some!
References :
From Washington, Attending ASU
Brother getting doctorate from USC
Father got MBA from Standford, so lived near campus for a couple years.
#4 by Mirinda on July 19, 2010 - 8:03 am
I’ll just give you mainly Cal (Berkeley). School area nice. Town area weird. You get used to seeing homeless people really fast…seeing people peeing on the streets is nothing. The campus is very beautiful, but once you get onto Telegraph or Shattuck (especially at night) you are dealing with a different area. People sleeping in store doorways. One good thing about Berkeley area is that there is great food. There are so many places to eat. Also, there is access to Bart which can bring you to Oakland, SF, and other areas fast.
UCLA great area, not so good transportation,
USC good school, but the area around it is not so nice, not the best part of L.A.
Stanfurd area is nice and has money. Don’t know much else about the area because I only go there every other year when the Cal v. Stanfurd game is played there.
References :
Cal Alum. Brother UCLA Alum, Brother USC Alum.