Oregon’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

Oregon’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

What are the best colleges and universities in Oregon if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.

Colleges and universities in Oregon deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.

Oregon’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.

How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Oregon’s Colleges and Universities

Oregon's Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
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As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Oregon’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call  Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.

  1. Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
  2. Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
    • We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
  3. Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.

Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.

Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families

The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:

  • A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
  • Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
  • Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
  • The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
  • Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
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Oregon’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

  1. #1

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    44%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Willamette University

    Cost of Degree: $45,260
    Expenses: $16,852
    Starting Salary: $57,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Lewis & Clark College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1289/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Lewis & Clark College

    Cost of Degree: $59,684
    Expenses: $17,486
    Starting Salary: $55,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $11,691
    Expenses: $18,318
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southern Oregon University known for?

    Southern Oregon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1072/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $10,602
    Expenses: $14,556
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Western Oregon University known for?

    Western Oregon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. #7

    Pacific University

    Forest Grove , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $52,072
    Expenses: $17,258
    Starting Salary: $51,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Pacific University known for?

    Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. #8

    George Fox University

    Newberg , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/23

    Career Outlook for degree at George Fox University

    Cost of Degree: $39,540
    Expenses: $16,850
    Starting Salary: $51,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    George Fox University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Management And Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Project Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social And Behavioral Studies
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Portland State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,206
    Expenses: $18,639
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Portland State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Technology And Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Technology And Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management And Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Management And Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Supply And Logistics Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology And Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Arts And Letters
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Cultural History Of The Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Philosophy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Philosophy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health Studies: Aging
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Health Studies: Aging
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health Studies: Community Health Promotion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Health Studies: Community Health Promotion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #11

    Oregon State University

    Corvallis , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Oregon State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,664
    Expenses: $17,679
    Starting Salary: $56,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #12

    Eastern Oregon University

    La Grande , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $10,196
    Expenses: $15,465
    Starting Salary: $44,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Eastern Oregon University known for?

    Eastern Oregon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  11. #13

    Corban University

    Salem , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    38%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Corban University

    Cost of Degree: $35,767
    Expenses: $15,688
    Starting Salary: $40,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Corban University known for?

    Corban University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Corban University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Leadership And Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Family Studies
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #14

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Klamath Falls , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Oregon Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $12,122
    Expenses: $15,321
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Oregon Institute of Technology known for?

    Oregon Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. #15

    Bushnell University

    Eugene , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1097/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Bushnell University

    Cost of Degree: $33,220
    Expenses: $13,780
    Starting Salary: $45,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bushnell University known for?

    Bushnell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Warner Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $20,240
    Expenses: $12,672
    Starting Salary: $45,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Warner Pacific University known for?

    Warner Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. #17

    Linfield University

    McMinnville , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Linfield University

    Cost of Degree: $49,417
    Expenses: $17,400
    Starting Salary: $60,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
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Oregon’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Colleges and Universities in Oregon

Oregon is home to over 40 higher education institutions, including Oregon State University, the largest in the state. More than 30,000 students are enrolled at this public research institution in Corvallis, and with a tuition of $11,000, the school comes in slightly above the national average. Students attending the next largest, the University of Oregon, will join in on a friendly intrastate rivalry against Oregon State. Though the tuition is higher at $12,000, the school boasts a student-faculty ratio of 16:1.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Of the 21 private institutions, 10 are religiously based. Concordia University has the largest student population at just under 5,000 and a tuition of $31,000. Students who attend this private Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod university can study fields such as chemistry, psychology, and history. Oregon’s community colleges range in tuition from $4,000 to $6,000. The least expensive four-year institution in the state, Portland State University (PSU), comes in at $8,000. Students attending PSU can study a range of fields, including environmental engineering, film, and international business, right in the heart of the city.

Gaze at the Pacific Ocean from the Oregon Coast Highway, which travels along the entire coastal edge of the state. Taste Pacific Northwest wines from the Willamette Valley, or take a bike ride through the streets of Portland. Students looking to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in The Beaver State can enjoy a great higher education experience set against a stunning natural backdrop.

Discover what Oregon has to offer, and find a college that fits your career interests as well as your budget.


What are Oregon’s Colleges & Universities?

Oregon’s Best Overall

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