Best Research Universities in Oregon 2024

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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

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  1. University of Oregon
  2. Oregon State University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Pacific University
  5. George Fox University
  1. University of Oregon
  2. Oregon State University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Pacific University
  5. George Fox University
  1. Portland State University 93%
  2. Pacific University 92%
  3. George Fox University 92%
  4. University of Oregon 86%
  5. Oregon State University 83%
  1. University of Oregon 20 to 1
  2. Oregon State University 19 to 1
  3. Portland State University 17 to 1
  4. George Fox University 15 to 1
  5. Pacific University 9 to 1
  1. Pacific University $52,072
  2. George Fox University $39,540
  3. University of Oregon $11,674
  4. Oregon State University $10,425
  5. Portland State University $8,400
  1. Pacific University $36,103
  2. University of Oregon $16,011
  3. George Fox University $15,516
  4. Portland State University $15,048
  5. Oregon State University $13,446
  1. George Fox University
  2. Pacific University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Oregon State University
  5. University of Oregon
  1. George Fox University
  2. Pacific University
  3. Portland State University
  4. Oregon State University
  5. University of Oregon
  1. Oregon State University 83%
  2. University of Oregon 86%
  3. George Fox University 92%
  4. Pacific University 92%
  5. Portland State University 93%
  1. Pacific University 9 to 1
  2. George Fox University 15 to 1
  3. Portland State University 17 to 1
  4. Oregon State University 19 to 1
  5. University of Oregon 20 to 1
  1. Portland State University $8,400
  2. Oregon State University $10,425
  3. University of Oregon $11,674
  4. George Fox University $39,540
  5. Pacific University $52,072
  1. Oregon State University $13,446
  2. Portland State University $15,048
  3. George Fox University $15,516
  4. University of Oregon $16,011
  5. 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?

Oregon’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Oregon's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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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).

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Best Research Universities in Oregon 2023

  1. #2

    Oregon State University

    Corvallis , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    40K

    Career Outlook for degree at Oregon State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,664
    Expenses: $17,679
    Starting Salary: $56,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    28K

    Career Outlook for degree at Portland State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,206
    Expenses: $18,639
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  3. #4

    Pacific University

    Forest Grove , OR

    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: $52,072
    Expenses: $17,258
    Starting Salary: $51,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Pacific University known for?

    Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #5

    George Fox University

    Newberg , OR
    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: $39,540
    Expenses: $16,850
    Starting Salary: $51,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
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Find the Best Research Universities in Oregon for 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. University of Oregon
  2. Oregon State University
  3. Pacific University
  4. Portland State University
  5. George Fox University

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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