Best Online Colleges in Oregon of 2023
Online higher education options in the state of Oregon include not only traditional four-year universities but also community colleges, certification programs, and virtual apprenticeships. If you’re planning to take college courses online, Oregon has plenty of options to choose from. Below, we’ll go over tuition rates, financial aid, and everything else you need to know about attending online universities and colleges in Oregon.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Oregon. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Every institution we reviewed is fully accredited, guaranteeing a high standard of educational excellence. Most institutions are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges (NWCCU), which holds schools in this region to rigorous standards for performance, integrity, and quality of merit. One institution is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), a national agency focused on online education. Another is accredited through the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which holds U.S. religious educational institutions to high quality and credibility standards.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Oregon
Does Oregon have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as George Fox University’s Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration and Eastern Oregon University’s Online Bachelor’s in Communication. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Oregon to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields, such as healthcare. Oregon is rich in graduate school options, like the Oregon Institute of Technology’s Online Master’s in Engineering and Southern Oregon University’s Online MBA.
Do online college credits in Oregon cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, whereas others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Oregon became a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) in 2014, which means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Oregon schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose Oregon for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to religious institutions to top public research universities, Oregon offers something for every online college student. One option that stands out as a particularly appealing choice is Portland State University, where all online undergraduate students pay a flat rate of $310 per credit, regardless of state residency.
The Cost of Online College in Oregon
How much does an online degree in Oregon cost?
The cost of an online degree in Oregon depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree that you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation, parking, and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Oregon below:
- Most affordable online college in Oregon: Eastern Oregon University – $265 per credit (in-state), $305 per credit (out-of-state)
- Most expensive online colleges in Oregon: Linfield University – $495 per credit (in-state), Portland State University – $648 per credit (out-of-state)
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Oregon to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you will be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Oregon for 12 consecutive months. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Oregon?
In 2015, the Oregon Promise was enacted. It’s a state grant that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates with at least a 2.0 GPA. Students must apply during their senior year and also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Oregon
If you don’t qualify for the Oregon Promise, there are many other sources of financial support that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, whereas others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
Renaissance Scholars Program
Sponsored by the Renaissance Foundation, this program provides scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program works closely with colleges to ensure that award winners are supported beyond the scholarship funds they receive.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, applicants must be high school seniors, residents of Oregon or Illinois or be planning to attend a four-year college in either state. You must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and high financial need.
Contact information: [email protected] | 503-726-5970
Celebrate the West
Students from Oregon are eligible to enter this annual art scholarship competition hosted by the Western Governors’ Foundation and sponsored by Americans for the Arts. The competition, currently in its seventh year, asks high school students to create original works inspired by their state.
Who’s eligible? In addition to being Oregon residents, entrants must be enrolled in grades 9–12 and submit a digital copy of their artwork that expresses a western theme. Eligible media include painting, drawing, lithography, silkscreen, mixed media, computer graphics, and collage.
Contact information: [email protected] | 303-623-9378
Horatio Alger State Scholarship - Oregon
This national scholarship program is named after American author Horatio Alger and funded by the Peter W. Scott, Vestas, and Horatio Alger Endowment Fund. It’s offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Students may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school seniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Oregon residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
Sub Pop Loser Scholarship
Now in its 17th year, these scholarships from an independent record label based in Seattle are for applicants from Oregon and Washington who are involved and/or interested in music and/or creative media and arts in some way. Students are encouraged to send digital links or provide hard copies of their creative works with their applications.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, you must also submit a creative essay.
Contact information: [email protected] | 206-441-8441
5 Fastest Growing Careers in Oregon
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, it’s also quite possible you don’t yet know what you want to major in. In that case, one of the most important factors to consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Oregon — this will make it easier to find a job, and higher demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By examining the Oregon Industry Employment Projections, 2020-2030, we’ve determined that the following five industries will have the highest growth rates in the Beaver State over the next few years.
Arts and Entertainment
From opera houses to art galleries, the arts and entertainment industry in Oregon is diverse, strong, and continually growing. Nationally, the industries within this sector with the highest levels of employment are motion picture and video production, radio and television broadcasting, and advertising. Specific jobs in this sector include reporters, camera operators, graphic designers, and technical writers. The average annual arts and entertainment industry salary in Oregon is $60,650.
- Growth: 59%
- Degree options: Associate in Industrial Design, Bachelor’s in Cinematography, Bachelor’s in Animation, Bachelor’s in Digital Arts, Master’s in Journalism, Master of Fine Arts, Ph.D. in Creative Writing
Food Preparation and Serving
Oregon’s food economy overall employs almost 15% of the state workforce. and that number is expected to grow. The most common occupations in this sector in Oregon are fast-food workers, servers, and supervisors. Jobs in food preparation and serving in Oregon pay an average salary of $30,490 annually, which is above the national average. Specific jobs in this sector include chefs, private household cooks, bartenders, school cafeteria attendants, and restaurant managers.
- Growth: 44%
- Degree options: Associate in Food and Beverage Studies, Bachelor’s in Food Industry Compliance, Bachelor’s in Baking and Pastry Arts, Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts, Bachelor’s in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship, Master’s in Business Administration
Community and Social Service
There are many job openings in Oregon for professionals in the mental health, behavioral health, and substance use fields. Within this sector, the average salary in Oregon is $53,900, with the most common occupations being counselors and social workers. Many occupations in this sector, such as community health workers and career counselors, do not require a graduate degree.
- Growth: 21%
- Degree options: Associate in Psychology, Bachelor’s in Psychology, Bachelor’s in Sociology, Bachelor’s in Addiction Studies, Master’s in Psychology, Master’s in Social Work, Ph.D. in Psychology
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Oregon is ranked No. 11 in the nation for states with the largest aging population, which contributes to its robust healthcare practitioner job market. Within this sector, the most common occupations in Oregon are registered nurses, physicians, and pharmacy technicians. Other occupations in this industry include dental hygienists, speech-language pathologists, and athletic trainers. The average statewide salary for all jobs in this industry is $99,890, which is well above the national average.
- Growth: 19%
- Degree options: Associate in Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor’s in Nursing, Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy, Bachelor’s in Audiology, Master’s in Genetic Counseling, Master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Doctor of Medicine
Transportation and Warehousing
Oregon is the headquarters of many major manufacturers, including Nike, Intel, and Daimler Trucks, which means warehousing and transportation remains a solid and growing industry. Jobs within this category include packagers, airline pilots, transportation inspectors, conveyer operators, locomotive engineers, and supervisors. The average salary in the Oregon transportation industry is $40,180.
- Growth: 18%
- Degree options: Associate in Logistics, Associate in Railroad Operations, Bachelor’s in Transportation and Logistics Management, Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management, Bachelor’s in Air Traffic Management, Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Aviation