Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2023

Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Oregon. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

10 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2022

  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
  8. Warner Pacific University

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon is known as the “green mountain state”, and is home to private university options and big graduate school institutions like Portland State University, and many other small private institutions, like Reed College.
  • For years, Oregon has become one of the most favorable places of study for international students, emphasizing a diverse student body at many of the best schools in the state.
  • One of Oregon’s most notable institutions is the University of Oregon. It ranks in the top 20 percent (nationally) in various fields like education, creative writing, landscape architecture, environmental law, sports marketing, psychology, health sciences, sustainable business practices, and many more.

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

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Affordable Higher Education in the State of Oregon

Oregon is a good place to study, especially among college students. Whether you are looking for a large research university or a small, intimate campus community, you have a lot of options.

Oregon is popular for ts beautiful natural environment, safe communities, magnificent mountains, and scenic ocean beaches. This is another reason why students love to study in this state because of the many recreational activities they can do all year round.

Since going to college is undeniably expensive, finding the most affordable colleges in Oregon is important. And knowing the best sources for scholarships and other forms of financial aid available to students in Oregon is of equal importance.

Financial Aid Options for College Students in Oregon

In Oregon, there are many financial aid options to help you support your education goals. Most colleges and universities within the Oregon university system offer merit-based aid, need-based aid, student loans, as well as work-study programs.

The HECC OSAC or Office of Student Access and Completion handles state financial aid for Oregonians, including the state’s biggest need-based grant program called the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

The first step to obtaining federal and state aid for college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-US citizen students who do not qualify for federal aid can check the federal guidelines related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals for possible options. In Oregon, these students may qualify for some state financial aid programs by submitting the Oregon Student Aid Application, Oregon’s alternative to the FAFSA.

Oregon Grant and Scholarship Programs

Here are some state financial aid programs for Oregon residents.

Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG): This is Oregon’s largest state-funded, need-based grant program created to help students pay for college either at public universities, public community colleges, or some participating private institutions.

OSAC Scholarships: There are over 500 private scholarships for Oregon students who wish to continue college and career training after high school.

Oregon Promise: This provides funds for Oregon high school students who recently graduated, as well as GED recipients to enroll in any Oregon community college.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance Grant: This is a program that affords funds for tuition at any Oregon public universities and community colleges for qualified service members of the Oregon Air National Guard and the Oregon Army National Guard.

Oregon Tribal Student Grant: This grant provides funding for qualified Oregon tribal students to offset the cost of attendance at any eligible Oregon university or college.

To qualify, you must be a certified member of any of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon:

  • Burns Paiute Tribe
  • Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Suislaw Indians
  • Confederated Tribes and Grand Ronde
  • Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
  • Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
  • Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
  • Cow Creek Band of Umpqua - Tribe of Indians
  • Coquille Indian Tribe
  • Klamath Tribe

Chafee Grant: This grant provides funding for postsecondary education and training to children who went through the foster care system.

Applicants must be currently in a child foster care or have been in one for 180 days (six months) after their 13th birthday and exited substitute care at age 14 or older.

Childcare Grant: This program is designed to help parents enrolled in postsecondary education receive safe and dependable care that supports their child’s development while they complete their academic programs.

To qualify, students must be an Oregon resident with a child age 12 and under in need of child care. The childcare provider must also be listed with the Oregon Department of Human Services, or registered and certified with the Oregon Child Care Division.

Barber and Hairdresser Grant: This is a one-time grant provided to qualified low-income students who are attending a licensed school of barbering, cosmetology, hair design, or manicure in Oregon that participates in Federal Title IV student aid opportunities and the Grant Program.

Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant: This is a program that assists qualified dependents of Oregon public safety officers who became disabled or perished in the line of duty.

For more information, check out the Affordability Strategies of Oregon’s Highest Education Coordinating Commission.

There are 8 colleges and universities in Oregon with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Oregon is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2022

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  3. #3

    Portland State University

    Portland , OR
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2023 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 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
  8. #7

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Klamath Falls , OR
    #7 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2023 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2023 #9 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2023

    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

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Oregon’s Most Affordable Colleges 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
  1. Portland State University
  2. Eastern Oregon University
  3. Southern Oregon University
  4. Oregon Institute of Technology
  5. Western Oregon University
  6. Oregon State University
  7. University of Oregon
  8. Pioneer Pacific College
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