Best Research Universities in Oregon 2024
Interested in attending a STEM school in Oregon? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.
Best Research Universities in Oregon 2024
- University of Oregon
- Oregon State University
- Portland State University
- Pacific University
- George Fox University
- University of Oregon
- Oregon State University
- Portland State University
- Pacific University
- George Fox University
- Portland State University 93%
- Pacific University 92%
- George Fox University 92%
- University of Oregon 86%
- Oregon State University 83%
- University of Oregon 20 to 1
- Oregon State University 19 to 1
- Portland State University 17 to 1
- George Fox University 15 to 1
- Pacific University 9 to 1
- Pacific University $52,072
- George Fox University $39,540
- University of Oregon $11,674
- Oregon State University $10,425
- Portland State University $8,400
- Pacific University $36,103
- University of Oregon $16,011
- George Fox University $15,516
- Portland State University $15,048
- Oregon State University $13,446
- George Fox University
- Pacific University
- Portland State University
- Oregon State University
- University of Oregon
- George Fox University
- Pacific University
- Portland State University
- Oregon State University
- University of Oregon
- Oregon State University 83%
- University of Oregon 86%
- George Fox University 92%
- Pacific University 92%
- Portland State University 93%
- Pacific University 9 to 1
- George Fox University 15 to 1
- Portland State University 17 to 1
- Oregon State University 19 to 1
- University of Oregon 20 to 1
- Portland State University $8,400
- Oregon State University $10,425
- University of Oregon $11,674
- George Fox University $39,540
- Pacific University $52,072
- Oregon State University $13,446
- Portland State University $15,048
- George Fox University $15,516
- University of Oregon $16,011
- Pacific University $36,103
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?
- 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
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 5 research universities in Oregon. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Best Research Universities in Oregon 2023
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
Other Rankings
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: $14,112Expenses: $18,585Starting Salary: $51,300Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- #15 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science
- #1 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Oregon
- #2 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Oregon 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Nevada
- #7 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
- #9 The Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
- #17 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
70%
Student body
40K
Career Outlook for degree at Oregon State University
Cost of Degree: $12,664Expenses: $17,679Starting 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
- #3 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024
- #24 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Oregon 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Oregon
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Oregon 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #6 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
- #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2025
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #18 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
- #20 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
53%
Student body
28K
Career Outlook for degree at Portland State University
Cost of Degree: $10,206Expenses: $18,639Starting 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
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
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024
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: $52,072Expenses: $17,258Starting Salary: $51,400Cost Recoup Time: 19 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
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in Oregon 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Online Colleges in Oregon 2024
Other Rankings
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: $39,540Expenses: $16,850Starting Salary: $51,000Cost Recoup Time: 17 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
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
Find the Best Research Universities in Oregon for Your Area of Interest
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.
Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.