I don't know if it has the best universities or not. I know it has (at least Washignton State) an excellent community college system, and there are very good technical colleges throughout the country. It has what at least used to be an outstanding land grant system, and I work for one of those universities...tending toward teacher education, agriculture, engineering etc. Oh goodness, preparing people for the job market..what a concept...far better they should spend four years learning how to argue with people about everything. mg