Best Colleges in Oregon

Founded in 1908, Reed College focuses almost exclusively on liberal arts education for undergraduate students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 10-to-1 and conference-style classes, learners at the college receive close attention and mentorship from expert faculty members.

The college offers more than 40 majors, including anthropology, comparative race and ethnic studies, linguistics, and neuroscience. Dual-degree programs also allow students to focus on subjects like engineering and environmental sciences. To earn a bachelor's, each undergraduate student at Reed must take at least one year-long humanities course and write a senior thesis.

Reed's sole master's program is a liberal arts degree, which students can shape to fit their academic and professional interests.

Admission to the college is highly selective. First-year applicants must submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, a counselor recommendation, and two teacher evaluations. Reed is committed to meeting all of the demonstrated financial need of its admitted students.

The University of Portland – a Catholic university – offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and 18 graduate programs in areas of study such as civil engineering, environmental policy, integrative health and wellness studies, and organizational communication. UP does not currently provide online access to any of its programs.

All undergraduate students, regardless of their major, take 13 courses in science, the arts, and humanities. This liberal arts core helps students develop critical-thinking skills, exposes them to new perspectives, and allows them to examine pressing questions of existence through an interdisciplinary lens. UP encourages students to participate in internships.

To apply to UP, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. First-year applicants must also submit ACT or SAT scores, one letter of recommendation, and a personal essay. Most graduate programs require a bachelor's degree and satisfactory GRE or GMAT scores.

As the state's flagship school, the University of Oregon serves nearly 23,000 students each year through approximately 325 degree and certificate programs in subjects like business administration, journalism, and law. While the university provides the resources of a large institution, the median class size is only 20 students.

UO is deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities. More than a third of all newly admitted students self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities, and 40% of new college students are the first in their families to attend college.

To support the needs of these learners, the university provides comprehensive advising, career, and academic support, along with a host of scholarships and financial aid programs.

Prospective undergraduate students must submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal essay. They may also elect to submit a second essay describing their personal commitment to equity and inclusion.

Operating as one of only two land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant universities in the U.S, Oregon State prepares students for diverse careers in fields like forestry, robotics, and data analytics. After graduating, Oregon State alumni have gone on to win research awards, found companies like E-TRADE, and invent the artificial heart valve.

As an international university, Oregon State hosts more than 4,500 students from approximately 114 countries. In addition, learners can participate in more than 100 study abroad programs. The university's "International Degree" program also gives learners the opportunity to master a foreign language and write a thesis that draws on their experience abroad.

Applying to Oregon State as an undergraduate requires you to hold a high school diploma and submit ACT or SAT scores. Admitted students generally have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Linfield College – a private undergraduate college with two campuses in Oregon – combines liberal arts education with practical career training. Students at the college explore subjects like accounting, elementary education, and political science. Fully online programs serve learners interested in fields such as health administration, project management, and nursing.

Experiential and service learning play a key role at the college. More than 40% of students participate in a study abroad trip, and collaborative research projects give learners the opportunity to work closely with faculty. Career counselors also help students find internships, with Linfield providing stipends and scholarships for unpaid positions.

To apply to Linfield, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. While the college does not set minimum GPA requirements for admission, applicants with a high school GPA below 3.0 must also submit ACT or SAT scores. All prospective students must also write a personal essay.

At Lewis and Clark College, students enjoy a wealth of services that help position them for career success. The college offers a variety of summer internship grants that allow students to take advantage of unpaid learning and networking opportunities. Lewis & Clark even hosts a diplomat-in-residence to advise students majoring in international relations.

In addition to graduate programs in law and education, the college offers bachelor's degrees in areas of study like computer science, economics, philosophy, and world languages. Lewis & Clark also guarantees that undergraduate students can earn a bachelor's degree in eight semesters; otherwise, the college will cover the cost of a ninth term.

To apply, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. As a test-optional institution, Lewis & Clark lets students choose whether or not to submit ACT or SAT scores; applicants decide whether they believe their results on these exams accurately demonstrate their academic achievement and potential.

Faith and service are central to the experience at Bushnell University. On top of classroom learning, all undergraduate students at the university complete some form of field experience, such as a community service project with a nonprofit or faith-based organization in nearby Eugene or an extended mission trip to a country like Cambodia, Romania, or Mexico.

On-campus undergraduate programs provide instruction in areas such as Christian ministry, computer engineering, and teacher education. For students who need to balance their studies with a full-time job or family responsibilities, Bushnell offers evening and fully online programs. Online classes start six times throughout the year.

While students who plan to learn on campus must submit ACT or SAT scores, Bushnell does not require online applicants to take these exams. All prospective undergraduate students must have a high school or GED diploma.

Each year, Southern Oregon University enrolls more than 6,200 students in 37 degree programs. Alongside on-campus offerings in subjects like healthcare administration and theater, the university hosts hybrid and fully online programs in areas such as business administration, emerging media and digital arts, and international studies.

The university's "Acc Bacc" program allows undergraduate students to earn a bachelor's degree in just three years. This accelerated program awards credit for select high school coursework and provides priority registration status. Applicants must commit to a major prior to enrolling and have a high school GPA of at least 3.4.

Undergraduate applicants generally need a GPA of 2.5 or higher. All admitted students receive automatic consideration for need- and merit-based aid, including the Raider Scholarship, which provides $4,500 in annual support to Oregon residents with a GPA of 3.85 or above.