Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2025

Badge for BEST IN OREGON PUBLIC COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
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.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon’s top public colleges often emphasize sustainability in their operations and academics. Many offer programs and initiatives focused on environmental science, green technology, and sustainability practices, which attract students interested in environmental stewardship and green careers.
  • The best public colleges in Oregon are known for their research facilities, particularly in fields like environmental studies, engineering, and health sciences. They provide students with hands-on research experiences and partnerships with local industries, fostering valuable skills and career connections.
  • Many public colleges in Oregon are located near scenic areas, offering easy access to mountains, beaches, and forests. This encourages a vibrant outdoor culture, with opportunities for activities like hiking, skiing, and beach trips, which appeal to students who value a balance between academics and outdoor life.

Best Public Colleges in Oregon in 2025

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

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.

There are no changes to our ranking of the best public colleges in Oregon for 2025. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

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, schools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Best Public Colleges in Oregon

  2. #2

    Oregon State University

    Corvallis , OR
    #15 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    40K

    Career Outlook for degree at Oregon State University

    Cost of Degree: $13,494
    Expenses: $18,711
    Starting Salary: $56,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Oregon State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Portland State University

    Portland , OR
    #3 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    28K

    Career Outlook for degree at Portland State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,617
    Expenses: $16,785
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
  4. #4

    Southern Oregon University

    Ashland , OR
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025
    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

    Compare school
  6. #5

    Western Oregon University

    Monmouth , OR
    #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025 #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Oregon 2024

    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

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Eastern Oregon University

    La Grande , OR
    #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Oregon
    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

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Klamath Falls , OR
    #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Oregon
    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

    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 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.

  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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