Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025

Badge for BEST IN OREGON LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Key Takeaways

  • Many liberal arts colleges in Oregon offer flexible curricula that encourage interdisciplinary studies, allowing students to combine majors and minors across various fields such as social justice, global studies, and arts, fostering a well-rounded education.
  • The colleges in this ranking are known for their small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where students can receive personalized attention, collaborate closely with professors, and actively participate in campus life.
  • Oregon’s liberal arts colleges, such as Lewis & Clark College, emphasize environmental stewardship with robust programs in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, and conservation, leveraging the state’s diverse ecosystems for hands-on fieldwork and research opportunities.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon

Sort by:
  1. Reed College
  2. University of Portland
  3. Willamette University
  4. Lewis & Clark College
  5. Bushnell University
  6. Southern Oregon University
  7. Western Oregon University
  8. Eastern Oregon University
  9. Linfield University
  10. Oregon Institute of Technology
  1. Reed College
  2. University of Portland
  3. Willamette University
  4. Lewis & Clark College
  5. Bushnell University
  6. Southern Oregon University
  7. Western Oregon University
  8. Warner Pacific University
  9. Eastern Oregon University
  10. Oregon Institute of Technology
  1. Eastern Oregon University 99%
  2. Oregon Institute of Technology 93%
  3. University of Portland 93%
  4. Linfield University 89%
  5. Southern Oregon University 88%
  6. Western Oregon University 83%
  7. Willamette University 81%
  8. Warner Pacific University 72%
  9. Lewis & Clark College 69%
  10. Bushnell University 67%
  1. Southern Oregon University 23 to 1
  2. Corban University 15 to 1
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology 15 to 1
  4. Western Oregon University 13 to 1
  5. Lewis & Clark College 13 to 1
  6. Eastern Oregon University 13 to 1
  7. Bushnell University 12 to 1
  8. Willamette University 11 to 1
  9. Linfield University 10 to 1
  10. University of Portland 9 to 1
  1. Reed College $64,760
  2. Lewis & Clark College $59,684
  3. University of Portland $51,812
  4. Linfield University $47,415
  5. Willamette University $45,260
  6. Corban University $35,767
  7. Bushnell University $33,220
  8. Warner Pacific University $20,240
  9. Oregon Institute of Technology $10,002
  10. Southern Oregon University $9,405
  1. Willamette University $44,493
  2. Linfield University $30,738
  3. University of Portland $24,804
  4. Lewis & Clark College $18,450
  5. Eastern Oregon University $18,378
  6. Bushnell University $17,875
  7. Western Oregon University $16,560
  8. Southern Oregon University $14,175
  9. Oregon Institute of Technology $13,803
  10. Corban University $9,760
  1. Warner Pacific University
  2. Corban University
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology
  4. Linfield University
  5. Eastern Oregon University
  6. Western Oregon University
  7. Southern Oregon University
  8. Bushnell University
  9. Lewis & Clark College
  10. Willamette University
  1. Corban University
  2. Linfield University
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology
  4. Eastern Oregon University
  5. Warner Pacific University
  6. Western Oregon University
  7. Southern Oregon University
  8. Bushnell University
  9. Lewis & Clark College
  10. Willamette University
  1. Reed College 31%
  2. Corban University 35%
  3. Bushnell University 67%
  4. Lewis & Clark College 69%
  5. Warner Pacific University 72%
  6. Willamette University 81%
  7. Western Oregon University 83%
  8. Southern Oregon University 88%
  9. Linfield University 89%
  10. University of Portland 93%
  1. Warner Pacific University 5 to 1
  2. University of Portland 9 to 1
  3. Reed College 9 to 1
  4. Linfield University 10 to 1
  5. Willamette University 11 to 1
  6. Bushnell University 12 to 1
  7. Western Oregon University 13 to 1
  8. Lewis & Clark College 13 to 1
  9. Eastern Oregon University 13 to 1
  10. Corban University 15 to 1
  1. Eastern Oregon University $8,213
  2. Western Oregon University $8,730
  3. Southern Oregon University $9,405
  4. Oregon Institute of Technology $10,002
  5. Warner Pacific University $20,240
  6. Bushnell University $33,220
  7. Corban University $35,767
  8. Willamette University $45,260
  9. Linfield University $47,415
  10. University of Portland $51,812
  1. Warner Pacific University $9,000
  2. Corban University $9,760
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology $13,803
  4. Southern Oregon University $14,175
  5. Western Oregon University $16,560
  6. Bushnell University $17,875
  7. Eastern Oregon University $18,378
  8. Lewis & Clark College $18,450
  9. University of Portland $24,804
  10. Linfield University $30,738

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 last ground for the 2025 school year.

Reed College maintained the top spot in our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges in Oregon. Bushnell University jumped an impressive 6 spots to move into the number 5 position, likely due in part to their expansion of academic offerings and infrastructure improvements.

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 12 liberal arts colleges in Oregon. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Oregon, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon

  1. #1

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1410/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $67,020
    Expenses: $19,520
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Willamette University

    Cost of Degree: $48,268
    Expenses: $19,233
    Starting Salary: $57,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #4

    Lewis & Clark College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1330/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Lewis & Clark College

    Cost of Degree: $62,350
    Expenses: $18,104
    Starting Salary: $55,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #5

    Bushnell University

    Eugene , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bushnell University

    Cost of Degree: $34,740
    Expenses: $14,280
    Starting Salary: $45,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 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

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $12,093
    Expenses: $18,747
    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

  6. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $11,025
    Expenses: $15,381
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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

  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $10,709
    Expenses: $17,517
    Starting Salary: $44,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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

  8. #9

    Linfield University

    McMinnville , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Linfield University

    Cost of Degree: $51,416
    Expenses: $17,460
    Starting Salary: $60,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #10

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Klamath Falls , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1152/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Oregon Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $12,687
    Expenses: $16,236
    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

  10. #11

    Corban University

    Salem , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    35%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Corban University

    Cost of Degree: $37,208
    Expenses: $16,486
    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
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Warner Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $21,010
    Expenses: $17,258
    Starting Salary: $45,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 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

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Oregon’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

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