Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2023

BEST IN OREGON PUBLIC COLLEGES
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Oregon provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Best Public Colleges in Oregon

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  1. University of Oregon
  2. Oregon State University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Southern Oregon University
  5. Western Oregon University
  6. Oregon Institute of Technology
  7. Eastern Oregon University
  1. Portland State University 98%
  2. Eastern Oregon University 98%
  3. University of Oregon 93%
  4. Western Oregon University 92%
  5. Oregon Institute of Technology 91%
  6. Southern Oregon University 90%
  7. Oregon State University 89%
  1. Southern Oregon University 20 to 1
  2. Portland State University 19 to 1
  3. University of Oregon 18 to 1
  4. Oregon State University 18 to 1
  5. Oregon Institute of Technology 16 to 1
  6. Eastern Oregon University 15 to 1
  7. Western Oregon University 13 to 1
  1. University of Oregon $11,458
  2. Oregon State University $10,065
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology $9,572
  4. Western Oregon University $8,460
  5. Portland State University $8,106
  6. Eastern Oregon University $7,830
  7. Southern Oregon University $7,236
  1. Eastern Oregon University $17,928
  2. Western Oregon University $16,560
  3. University of Oregon $15,714
  4. Portland State University $14,817
  5. Southern Oregon University $13,635
  6. Oregon State University $13,446
  7. Oregon Institute of Technology $13,209
  1. Eastern Oregon University
  2. Oregon Institute of Technology
  3. Western Oregon University
  4. Southern Oregon University
  5. Portland State University
  6. Oregon State University
  7. University of Oregon
  1. Oregon State University 89%
  2. Southern Oregon University 90%
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology 91%
  4. Western Oregon University 92%
  5. University of Oregon 93%
  6. Eastern Oregon University 98%
  7. Portland State University 98%
  1. Western Oregon University 13 to 1
  2. Eastern Oregon University 15 to 1
  3. Oregon Institute of Technology 16 to 1
  4. University of Oregon 18 to 1
  5. Oregon State University 18 to 1
  6. Portland State University 19 to 1
  7. Southern Oregon University 20 to 1
  1. Southern Oregon University $7,236
  2. Eastern Oregon University $7,830
  3. Portland State University $8,106
  4. Western Oregon University $8,460
  5. Oregon Institute of Technology $9,572
  6. Oregon State University $10,065
  7. University of Oregon $11,458
  1. Oregon Institute of Technology $13,209
  2. Oregon State University $13,446
  3. Southern Oregon University $13,635
  4. Portland State University $14,817
  5. University of Oregon $15,714
  6. Western Oregon University $16,560
  7. Eastern Oregon University $17,928

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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 7 public universities in Oregon. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Oregon, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2022

  3. #3

    Portland State University

    Portland , OR
    #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/20

    What is Portland State University known for?

    Portland State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    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
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Klamath Falls , OR
    #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2023 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2023 #9 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2023 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Oregon

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/23

    What is Oregon Institute of Technology known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Oregon’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. University of Oregon
  2. Oregon State University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Southern Oregon University
  5. Eastern Oregon University
  6. Oregon Institute of Technology
  7. Western Oregon University

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

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