Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2025
Key Takeaways
- Oregon has 5 of the best graduate programs, each offering doctorate degrees and a wide array of master’s degrees.
- The best graduate programs allow students to advance their knowledge and boost their career prospects.
- There are a number of affordable public universities and smaller private colleges in Oregon, providing a perfect higher education option for any prospective grad student.
Best Grad Schools in Oregon in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best graduate schools in Oregon saw no change in ranking positions. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.
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 $13,000, 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 $14,000, the school boasts a student-faculty ratio of 19:1.
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The least expensive four-year institution in the state, Portland State University (PSU), comes in at $10,000. Students attending PSU can study a range of fields, including environmental engineering, film, and international business, right in the heart of the city.
What are Oregon’s Colleges & Universities?
- 6 Research Universities
- 12 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 5 Graduate Schools
- 7 Public Colleges & Universities
- 10 Private Colleges & Universities
- 6 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 14 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 8 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 17 Community Colleges
- 4 Online Colleges
Oregon’s Best Overall
There are 5 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Oregon. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Oregon is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2023
- #1 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
73%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/27
Career Outlook for degree at University of Oregon
Cost of Degree: $14,751Expenses: $20,052Starting Salary: $51,300Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Oregon known for?
University of Oregon’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Communications
- History
- Business
- Education
- Social Work
- Literature
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
If you want to push beyond your limits when it comes to innovative thinking and pursuing research, it’s a brilliant idea to enroll in a graduate program at the University of Oregon. At the end of the program, graduates elevate their careers and live fulfilling lives impacted by the institution.
What we love about the University of Oregon:
The University of Oregon comes with several colleges and you can pursue any field of study. You have the opportunity to work alongside experts in diverse industries. Graduate students can expect to develop their critical and logical thinking skills.
The University of Oregon is ideal for students who:
Want to attend a school that is focused on academic excellence.
The University of Oregon might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to attend a more diverse school.
- #15 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
70%
Student body
40K
Career Outlook for degree at Oregon State University
Cost of Degree: $13,494Expenses: $18,711Starting Salary: $56,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Oregon State University known for?
Oregon State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Oregon State University provides an amazing graduate experience for those who want to build their career or transfer to different jobs. The institution is geared towards producing leaders in societies and fostering innovation.
What we love about Oregon State University:
Graduate students have access to a plethora of resources to make graduate studies effective and efficient. They also offer 50 student organizations, so graduate students can build their network and have solid support throughout their graduate studies journey.
Oregon State University is ideal for students who:
Want to attend a school that is focused on innovative learning approaches.
Oregon State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to attend a school that is located in a warmer climate.
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
53%
Student body
28K
Career Outlook for degree at Portland State University
Cost of Degree: $10,617Expenses: $16,785Starting Salary: $50,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Portland State University known for?
Portland State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Literature
- Business
- History
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
Advance your knowledge and skills and build your professional network when you attend Portland State University for your graduate studies. More than 150 graduate degrees await you. Choose one that matches your professional goals.
What we love about Portland State University:
Being a graduate student at Portland State University allows you to connect with the top employers in Portland and other cities and states. Some of the nation’s best researchers and professors will teach students trade secrets and help them prepare for top-level roles.
Portland State University is ideal for students who:
Want to have access to industry experts and researchers.
Portland State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to attend smaller-sized classes.
- #4 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025 #5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/23
Career Outlook for degree at Pacific University
Cost of Degree: $54,466Expenses: $17,908Starting Salary: $51,400Cost Recoup Time: 20 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Pacific University known for?
Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Discover your purpose when you enroll in a graduate program offered at Pacific University. There are diverse fields of study that will match your preferences and professional goals in this institution.
What we love about Pacific University:
Pacific University has the feel of a small liberal arts college, allowing you to become closer to peers and professors. They have cutting-edge research that you can participate in, and you’ll have opportunities to pursue unique ideas.
Pacific University is ideal for students who:
Want to be a part of a small community.
Pacific University might not be the best fit for students who:
Might find their tuition fee more expensive.
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025 #7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Online Colleges in Oregon 2024
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
71%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/25
Career Outlook for degree at George Fox University
Cost of Degree: $40,940Expenses: $18,800Starting Salary: $51,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is George Fox University known for?
George Fox University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- History
- Literature
- Engineering
- Communications
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Attending a graduate school that also emphasizes Christian teachings and values is made possible with George Fox University. You’ll have access to global opportunities, and each student can grow spiritually, academically, and personally.
What we love about George Fox University:
Graduate students at the University of Oklahoma are trained to be independent forward-thinkers. They can master specific and diverse bodies of knowledge based on the field of study.
George Fox University is ideal for students who:
Want to attend a school that is focused on catalyzing change.
George Fox University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a cheaper tuition for graduate studies.
Oregon’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
2023 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
