Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2024

Badge for BEST IN OREGON LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Oregon offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon

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  1. Reed College
  2. Willamette University
  3. University of Portland
  4. Lewis & Clark College
  5. Southern Oregon University
  6. Western Oregon University
  7. Eastern Oregon University
  8. Oregon Institute of Technology
  9. Linfield University
  10. Corban University
  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. Eastern Oregon University 13 to 1
  6. Lewis & Clark College 13 to 1
  7. Bushnell University 12 to 1
  8. Willamette University 11 to 1
  9. Linfield University 10 to 1
  10. Reed College 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. Bushnell University
  3. Corban University
  4. Linfield University
  5. Oregon Institute of Technology
  6. Eastern Oregon University
  7. Western Oregon University
  8. Southern Oregon University
  9. Lewis & Clark College
  10. University of Portland
  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. Reed College 9 to 1
  3. University of Portland 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. Eastern Oregon University 13 to 1
  9. Lewis & Clark College 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

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Oregon's Best Liberal Arts Colleges Badge
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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.

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2023

  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: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    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: $45,260
    Expenses: $16,852
    Starting Salary: $57,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 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: $59,684
    Expenses: $17,486
    Starting Salary: $55,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $11,691
    Expenses: $18,318
    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

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $10,602
    Expenses: $14,556
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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

  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Oregon University

    Cost of Degree: $10,196
    Expenses: $15,465
    Starting Salary: $44,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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

  7. #8

    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: $12,122
    Expenses: $15,321
    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

  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: $49,417
    Expenses: $17,400
    Starting Salary: $60,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #10

    Corban University

    Salem , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    35%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Corban University

    Cost of Degree: $35,767
    Expenses: $15,688
    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
  10. #11

    Bushnell University

    Eugene , OR

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bushnell University

    Cost of Degree: $33,220
    Expenses: $13,780
    Starting Salary: $45,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 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

  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Warner Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $20,240
    Expenses: $12,672
    Starting Salary: $45,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 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

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. Reed College
  2. Lewis & Clark College
  3. Willamette University
  4. Linfield University
  5. University of Portland
  6. Southern Oregon University
  7. Eastern Oregon University
  8. Oregon Institute of Technology
  9. Warner Pacific University
  10. Corban University
  11. Western Oregon University
  12. Bushnell University

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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