Best Colleges in Oregon
Oregon is nicknamed The Beaver State, which plays nicely with the fact that Oregon produces more timber than any other state in the US. Other top supporters in the economy include technology, hydroelectric power, agriculture and fishing. Many of the colleges in Oregon are clustered near the coast of the Pacific Ocean but some can be found scattered inland, as well. Willamette University isn’t only the oldest college in the state, but also the oldest institution in the Western US. When it comes to the most selective, Reed College in Portland accepts the fewest students. Notable attractions in Oregon include the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the scenic Columbia River Highway, and Crater Lake National Park. This Western State is split between two time zones (Mountain Time Zone and the Pacific Time Zone), has a generally mild climate, and is home to the deepest lake in the US, Crater Lake.
How Were the Top Schools in Oregon Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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"Reed is a small liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, devoted to genuine intellectual inquiry in an engaging and supportive atmosphere. Reedies share a spirit of friendship and independence, a commitment to integrity, and a true love of learning...
Reed is a wonderland for quirky and intellectual people who want to be learning and growing every day. The classes are small and individualized, providing an environment where you are encouraged to explore your own ideas and push others to do the...
” – Alex from Denver, CO
Lewis & Clark College is a 4-year liberal arts college in the southwest hills of Portland. Lewis & Clark confers undergraduate degrees in 29 academic majors and 27 minors and all first year students are enrolled in a 2-semester course called...
I find most of my classes interesting, and all of them challenging. I've learned things about subjects that I never thought would interest me!
” – Maelia from Ashland, OR
Established by the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1891, the University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university. UP is home to colleges and schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing, and Education conferring...
I can honestly say that I have never felt so well taken care of academically. All of the teachers here are dedicated to their job and to the students. They go out of their way to make sure that every student is keeping up with the material. The class...
” – Rosemary from Las Vegas, NV
Linfield College-McMinnville Campus is an undergraduate liberal arts school that accepts new enrollments for both the fall and spring semesters. The 189-acre campus features the Miller Fine Arts Center/Linfield Gallery, the Vivian A. Bull Music...
The quality of education at Linfield is rich and diverse. The student body has very unique and open ways of thinking, making learning limitless and creative. The programs are somewhat limited, but not by much, and if Linfield does have a liberal arts...
” – Rachel from McMinnville, OR
Founded in 1842, Willamette University is a liberal arts institution in northwest Oregon and the oldest university in the western half of the United States. Willamette’s College of Liberal Arts offers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic fields...
Each day at Willamette I have anywhere from two to five hours of class, at least this semester, and for each class I come out learning something new. Of course some days I learn more than others, but everyday I go to class I know that I will learn a...
” – Zachery from California
Founded in 1891, George Fox University is a private institution based in Newberg, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends and integrates the Christian faith into their curriculum. All students must sign an honor code that...
I am finally being challenged in the classroom again. I almost floated through high school, but George Fox pushes me in the classroom. It expands my thinking, and the teachers are friendly. The ratio of teachers to students is low, so it's really...
” – Dana from Harrisburg, OR
Oregon State University is an international public institution located in Corvallis, OR. Originally Corvallis Academy, 150 years and more than 200 degree offerings later, OSU is one of only three universities in the US to have a land-, sea-, space-...
only school to offer ecologocal engineering at an undergraduate level
” – James from Cedar Knolls, NJ
Pacific University is a liberal arts college in the greater Portland area. Pacific is home to colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education granting undergraduate degrees in over 70 academic majors. Utilizing the university’s location, Pacific...
Pacific University has an extremely extensive course catalog for such a small school. They also cover a large amount of subjects, so students who go to college undecided have the ability to sample courses from many areas before deciding on a major...
” – Tess from Bothell, WA
With a campus along the Willamette River, the University of Oregon is a 4-year public university in Eugene and the flagship campus of the UO System. The UO is home to nine colleges hosting more than 300 degree-granting academic programs. To provide a...
I went to a top-rated, public high school and thought I was going to coast in college. I am taking 2 chemistry classes, math and English and am really being challenged. I have also been able to get the help I needed from professors and affordable...
” – Alexandra from San Diego, CA
Northwest Christian University is a 4-year Christ-centered institution offering degrees in Bible & Theology, Christian Ministry, Christian Worship, and 15 other liberal arts subjects. NCU also sponsors study abroad programs during the school year and...
The professors here are very good at keeping the class entertained and engaged. They are sure to include relevant pop culture to grab your attention on a subject. Just the other day a professor used Titanic to help describe the Greek tragedy...
” – Amanda from Elmira, OR
Southern Oregon University is a 4-year public liberal arts college in south central Oregon. SOU confers bachelor’s degrees in 36 academic fields of study and provides numerous opportunities to engage in field study, internships, and capstone projects...
The teachers are really helpful and most are really good about getting papers or tests backs quickly. I feel pretty challenged, but never really overloaded. Most professors are really good about dealing with special circumatances.
” – Brooke from South Lake Tahoe, CAMultnomah University is a 4-year non-denominational Christian college in Portland, Oregon. Multnomah utilizes The Bible as a foundation for every class and offers programs in liberal arts and humanities in addition to religious studies. As a Christ...
Good gracious! I'm learning so much! Who knew there was so much meaning in what seemed before to be orderless Sunday School stories!
” – Shea from Spokane, WA
Corban University is a private, independent institution that provides a Christ-centered education outside of Salem, Oregon, situated on a forested hillside. Corban offers traditional on-campus degrees as well as five that can be completed entirely...
There are a variety of classes here--I feel like a kid in a candy store! Luckily, you have a personal advisor in the department of your major who is dedicated to making sure you take the right classes at the right time. That way, you can take that...
” – Casey from Post Falls, ID
Originally founded to educate returning World War II veterans, Portland State University is a 4-year public institution in the heart of Portland. The PSU campus encompasses eight colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 120...
When it comes to how much you learn I believe that it is up to you to take classes that are interesting and a little bit challenging, because the classes that are easy tend to get boring and not teach you as much.
” – Brittany from Tigard, OR
Originally founded in 1856 by Oregon pioneers, Western Oregon University is a 4-year public school and the oldest public institution in the state. Western Oregon grants bachelor’s degrees in 52 academic majors. To provide a break from campus, the...
The classes at Western Oregon University are really good. You learn a lot in these small classes because you can ask questions and talk to the professors.
” – Melissa from Cornelius, OR
The Oregon Institute of Technology is a public and state-supported institute of technology based in Klamath Falls, OR, and has satellite campuses in Seattle-Boeing and the Portland-Metro area. Entire degrees can be earned via Oregon Online and...
There is an extensive amount of information being taught at Oregon Institute of Technology, and excellent professors that are extremely willing to help you learn it. Since this college is on the smaller side, the professors know you by your name and...
” – Lillian from Corvallis, ORWarner Pacific College is a private, Christ-centered institution established on an urban, 15-acre campus in Portland, Oregon, with satellite locations throughout the city and in Longview and Vancouver. WP offers over 50 undergraduate major and minor...
As far as academics go, the professors go out of their way to make themselves available to you to further your learning experience. One will find that the professors will be on campus during hours with an open door always available to discuss any...
” – Kyle from Lake Oswego, OR
With a campus nestled in the Blue Mountain range, Eastern Oregon University is a 4-year public institution in northeast Oregon. Eastern Oregon is home to four colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 25 academic majors. For...
Through one short year, I feel as though I have learned to think in a different light.
” – Ashli from Nampa, IDThe Portland Actors Conservatory is an acting training academy dedicated to cultivating a performing artist mindset and lifelong dedication to the craft. The conservatory’s 2-year curriculum features classes in movement, voice, text analysis, and...
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) empowers artists and designers to reimagine what art and design can do in the world. We're a private non-profit AICAD fine art and design college, founded in 1909 in Portland, Oregon. We offer eleven Bachelor...
It's a pretty great school. There aren't many students so the community is pretty close. The teachers are always willing to help and give great advice.
” – Jazmine from Maywood, CA