2023 Best Online Colleges in Oregon
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Overview Online College Popular Programs Financial Aid Job Outlook
Enrolling in an online college in Oregon may provide a convenient way to work toward a bachelor's degree. Earning a college degree often leads to higher-paying jobs and less chance of unemployment, so starting an online education might be a good first step toward these career goals. Students can study a variety of majors in Oregon with an online program that helps them balance school with work and other responsibilities. The state's online bachelor's degrees include some of the most popular study subjects in the nation: business, health professions, psychology, and the social sciences.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.
List Of Accredited Online Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | ||
| Portland State University | 1,582 | $28,410 |
| Eastern Oregon University | 1,365 | $21,729 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | 743 | $29,637 |
| Southern Oregon University | 292 | $26,814 |
| Bushnell University | 208 | $31,410 |
| George Fox University | 114 | $37,280 |
Oregon State University
- Annual Tuition: $31,215
- Locations: Corvallis
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Oregon State University (OSU), a public school, has dozens of online bachelor's degrees on offer. The university's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is one of its most popular options, and a fully online version is available alongside the campus program. Other programs with high enrollment include the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences degrees. The school has an 82% acceptance rate for bachelor's programs, along with a graduation rate of 65%.
OSU's online learners sign in to the Canvas learning management system (LMS) to work on courses. Most OSU students are full-time learners, but 31% take a part-time course schedule. Similarly, 31% of students are online-only enrollees.
Portland State University
- Annual Tuition: $28,410
- Locations: Portland
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Portland State University (PSU) is a public institution that offers a variety of online bachelor's degree programs. These include distance-learning versions of some of PSU's most popular programs, such as bachelor's degrees in public health with five optional concentrations and either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Social Science. The university accepts 95% of applicants for bachelor's degree programs, and 51% of admitted students graduate with degrees.
PSU delivers online courses using the Canvas LMS. The school is a federally designated Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, with 10% of its student body coming from Asian backgrounds. About one quarter of students take a part-time course schedule.
Eastern Oregon University
- Annual Tuition: $21,729
- Locations: La Grande
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a public school featuring more than two dozen fully online bachelor's degrees. Popular fields of study include early childhood education, physical education, and interdisciplinary studies, but the programs with the highest enrollment include the school's Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. EOU's bachelor's acceptance rate is 94%, and its bachelor's graduation rate is 40%.
The university uses Canvas as its LMS to host online lectures, course materials, and discussion forums. About one-third of EOU students enroll on a part-time basis, but more than half of all enrollees (56%) take online courses exclusively.
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Annual Tuition: $29,637
- Locations: Klamath Falls
- Accreditation: NWCCU
The public Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) is a public college that provides a range of online bachelor's degrees. The institute's allied health programs are particularly popular, such as its online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics degree and its Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene for current hygienists who have an associate degree. Oregon Tech accepts 95% of candidates for its bachelor's degrees, and half of all bachelor's candidates graduate with their degrees.
This school hosts online classes on the Canvas digital learning platform. Only 13% of Oregon Tech students at the bachelor level take fully online degree programs, but another 18% are enrolled in some distance education. In contrast, 32% of graduate students are enrolled in fully online programs.
Southern Oregon University
- Annual Tuition: $26,814
- Locations: Ashland
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Southern Oregon University (SOU), a public university, offers a few online bachelor's degrees to choose from. Two of the most popular programs are in business administration and psychology. Students can study these majors as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences programs, depending on which general education path they want to take. The university accepts 90% of bachelor's applicants, and 47% of its bachelor's degree students graduate.
SOU's online students sign in to the Moodle LMS to interact with classmates and professors, submit assignments, and watch recorded lectures. The university was founded in affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been publicly funded for nearly 150 years now.
Overview of Higher Education
There are plenty of reasons to attend college in the state of Oregon, and that's true whether you live nearby or you opt to earn an online degree from elsewhere.
Colleges in Oregon offer weather from all four seasons, and the state is bustling with sports lovers of all kinds. Oregon also boasts stunning beaches and an incredible coastline, and the St. Louis Federal Reserve reports that the state's unemployment rate stood at just 3.6% as of May 2022.
But, which universities in Oregon should you consider? And, are the best online colleges in Oregon worth exploring as well?
First off, you should be aware that many of the top universities in Oregon — including the University of Oregon and Oregon State University — have robust online programs that help students earn the same degrees virtually as they do on campus. Second, you should know that a range of online colleges in Oregon offer highly valuable degree programs that can be more affordable and easy to complete than traditional college programs.
Before we dive into more details on the best online schools and degree programs in Oregon, the chart below shows the graduation rates for various schools in the state:
Online Colleges in Oregon
When it comes to the best online colleges in Oregon, there are an array of popular options to choose from. Some grant four-year degrees and graduate degrees, yet students can also attend community college virtually within the state.
Accreditation of Online Colleges in Oregon
All of the best online colleges in Oregon are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), including the following:
- Oregon State University
- Oregon Institute of Technology
- Pacific University
- Oregon Health & Science University
- George Fox University
- Portland State University
- Bushnell University
- Eastern Oregon University
- Corban University
- Multnomah University
Choosing an accredited school is extremely important when it comes to ensuring you receive a quality online education, as well as when it comes to transferring credits, getting financial aid, and finding a job later on.
As you compare each Oregon online college, it's crucial to check that options are fully accredited by legitimate accrediting institutions that may vary by the region, program, or institution. A full list of institutions that provide accreditation for colleges and universities can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's website.
Popular Online Bachelor's Programs at Oregon Colleges
When it comes to earning a bachelor's degree at online colleges in Oregon, you'll find that nearly any type of program is available. For example, Oregon State University offers 96 different programs that lead to a bachelor's degree, ranging from a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration to a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics or a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy. At Portland State University, on the other hand, students can choose from dozens of online and flexible degree programs, such as accounting, business technology and analytics, and human resource management
Also note that many community colleges in Oregon offer courses and degree programs online. This includes options like Chemeketa Community College, which offers fully accredited and transferable associate degree programs in fields such as accounting, business management, criminal justice, and hospitality and tourism management.
There are also many popular online Master of Social Work programs in the state of Oregon, as well as an array of online nursing degree programs in the state.
No matter which field of study you plan to pursue, there's a good chance some of the top colleges in Oregon offer an online program. Your best bet is figuring out which field you want to study then looking for colleges in Oregon that offer the program virtually or in a hybrid format.
Financial Aid for Online Students in Oregon
According to financial data for colleges released by the state of Oregon, approximately 36% of the state's students received public grant aid for college during the 2019-20 academic year. This includes aid like Pell Grants, Opportunity Grants, Oregon Promise grants, and other institutional aid.
The best way for students to find out about financial aid they may be eligible for involves filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form helps students find out whether they are eligible for federal financial aid, state-based aid, and more, and it needs to be filed for each year the student attends school.
Read over our Guide to Financial Aid for Online Students to learn more about aid that may be available to you, as well as how to apply.
Employment Outlook for College Graduates in Oregon
As we mentioned already, the unemployment rate in the state of Oregon is currently at 3.6%, as of May 2022. Many jobs also pay rather well in the state, including occupations that can be pursued after earning an online degree.
According to Oregon occupational and wage statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the top jobs in the state feature exceptional pay and strong employment prospects. Some of the most lucrative job options are highlighted in the chart below:
Popular Jobs for Oregon College Graduates in 2022
| Occupation | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $166,450 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $140,700 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $136,150 |
| Financial Managers | $131,930 |
| Marketing Managers | $130,040 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $125,770 |
| Human Resource Managers | $120,570 |
| Construction Managers | $119,520 |
| Database Architects | $119,070 |
| Registered Nurses | $98,630 |
FAQs About Online Colleges in Oregon
Are Online Degrees Respected?
Online degrees are definitely respected, although you'll need to conduct due diligence to ensure your school is properly accredited, just as you would with any school. In many cases, employers even appreciate the additional learning opportunities online students receive, including relevant experiences with online tools that are often used in the workplace.
Since many colleges and universities offer the same degree programs online and in-person, it's likely you will complete the same curriculum and receive the exact same degree as peers who attend college at brick-and-mortar locations.
Does Oregon Have Good Online Colleges?
Many of the best online colleges in Oregon offer affordable tuition and reflect salary scores that can justify the costs of higher education. This means that attending an online school in Oregon can easily lead to a career with excellent job prospects and solid pay, as well as the ability to repay any student loans needed to graduate.
It's also worth noting that, just like in other states, many of the best colleges in Oregon offer both brick-and-mortar and online learning options. In many cases, the curriculum for online courses is exactly the same, although students will learn virtually by using tools like webinars, online chats, online learning portals, and message boards. This is part of the reason online learning continues growing in popularity, along with the convenience that comes with studying at home and on your own time.
Are There Scholarships and Grants in Oregon for Online College?
Many scholarship and grant opportunities are available to online students in the state of Oregon, and you can research some of them within our scholarship guide.
One example is the Oregon Promise, a grant that helps cover tuition costs at any community college in Oregon. Students must apply during their senior year of high school or after they earn their GED, and they must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0 or higher and meet other requirements.
The Oregon Office of Access and Completion also lets students apply for their share of $10 million in scholarship money through their website.
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