10 Best Colleges in Oregon
What’s Covered:
Oregon offers one of the most unique and refreshing living experiences in not only the Pacific Northwest but in the entire United States. In 2017, Oregon came in second behind New Hampshire as one of the most desired states to move to. With great weather, amazing nightlife, and breathtaking sights, Oregon is the perfect place to settle down and get an education. If you are interested in attending college in Oregon, keep reading to find out the 10 best higher education institutions in the state.
Our Ranking Methodology
Our list was constructed with a focus on school quality, outcomes, and return on investment (ROI), along with considering a host of other factors such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance. You can also check out CollegeVine’s rankings in their entirety if you are curious about schools across the country.
Best Colleges in Oregon
1. Reed College
Location: Portland, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Middle 50% SAT: 1310-1520
Middle 50% ACT: 30-33
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,548
Founded in 1908, Reed College is a small, coeducational, liberal arts institution in Portland, Oregon. Students won’t find the traditional college staples—Greek organizations, varsity sports or course grades—at Reed College. Instead, students have the option to select from over 100 student-led organizations and compete in intramural or club sports teams. With no course grades and only pass or fail grades assigned, the school does not have a dean’s list or honor roll, alleviating the pressure and anxiety associated with grades. Courses tend to be rigorous, as Reed College is ranked #62 out of all National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country. However, there is still a lot of fun to be had: downtown Portland is about 5 miles away from campus or students can enjoy the great Oregon outdoors.
Learn more about Reed College and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Portland
Location: Portland, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Middle 50% SAT: 1140-1320
Middle 50% ACT: 23-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,559
The University of Portland is a private institution that was founded in 1901. It is a Catholic school in northwest Oregon where students can choose from over 40 unique majors and 15 graduate programs. There are dozens of student organizations and over 15 club sports programs for students to join. The University of Portland also competes in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference for all competitive sports. While courses can be challenging, students can let off steam with nearby attractions like the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Opera offering discounted student tickets.
Learn more about the University of Portland and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Oregon State University | OSU
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Middle 50% SAT: 1080-1310
Middle 50% ACT: 22-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 26,644
Oregon State University is a public institution that was founded in 1868 and is located around 90 minutes south of Portland and an hour’s drive from the Pacific coast. The school is the state’s largest public research university, specializing in marine sciences, forestry, and sustainable food systems. Students at Oregon State University have more than 200 academic programs to explore and over 100 master’s programs to pursue after they graduate. Outside the classroom, students can choose from hundreds of clubs to join and several fraternities and sororities. Oregon State University also competes in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference.
Learn more about Oregon State University and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Lewis & Clark College
Location: Portland, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Middle 50% SAT: 1230-1390
Middle 50% ACT: 27-31
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,830
Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college comprised of three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the School of Lawmaking. With its rich history, diverse and multi-cultural campus, and interdisciplinary academic learning, the school is well equipped to provide a meaningful education. The university is surrounded by 137 wooded acres in Portland’s southwest hills, so students have an abundance of nature to enjoy after their classes. Some other perks of the school include well-stocked libraries, award-winning green buildings, outstanding athletic facilities, and innovative research. The school is ranked #82 for all National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country by US News.
Learn more about Lewis & Clark College and what it takes to get accepted.
5. University of Oregon
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Middle 50% SAT: 1080-1290
Middle 50% ACT: 22-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 18,045
The University of Oregon is a public institution that was founded in 1876. Located in Eugene, a perfect town for those who appreciate the arts and outdoors, there is something for every student to take advantage of outside of the classroom. Students interested in the arts have a vast array of events and activities to choose from in the surrounding community, as they have the perfect building ground to experiment and grow. The University of Oregon also participates in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference and draws a considerable amount of fans, especially in track and field and football. The school also has a thriving Greek life, with around 30 fraternities and sororities on campus. To top it all off, the University of Oregon is ranked #99 out of all National Universities in the country.
Learn more about the University of Oregon and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Willamette University
Location: Salem, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Middle 50% SAT: 1170-1350
Middle 50% ACT: 25-30
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,303
Willamette University is a private institution that was founded in 1842. Located in Oregon’s state capital, Salem, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States. The 69-acre campus is located directly across from the Oregon State Capitol and is less than an hour from Portland. At the college, students can choose from over 100 clubs and organizations, as well as a small, but bustling, Greek life community, to partake in. The school is ranked #71 in National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Learn more about Willamette University and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Linfield University
Location: McMinnville, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Middle 50% SAT: 1020 – 1200
Middle 50% ACT: 20-25
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,392
Linfield University is a private institution that was founded in 1858. Here you can expect a rigorous education and the opportunity to participate in undergraduate faculty research projects directly through the Linfield Research Institute. Other ways to get involved include more than 40 clubs and student organizations, as well as fraternities and sororities. The Linfield University athletic teams, the Wildcats, compete in the NCAA Division III, and the football team boasts a record of more than 55 consecutive winning seasons. The university ranks #117 of all National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country.
Learn more about Linfield University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Pacific University
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Middle 50% SAT: 1060-1250
Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,758
Founded in 1849, Pacific University is a diverse learning community offering a unique combination of nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the arts and sciences, education, business, optometry, and the health professions. Pacific University is the #1 private research institution in the Pacific Northwest and ranked alongside Stanford and USC as a top university on the West Coast. It is also ranked #187 in all National Universities in the country.
Learn more about Pacific University and what it takes to get accepted.
9. George Fox University | GFU
Location: Newberg, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Middle 50% SAT: 1020-1230
Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,481
George Fox University is one of Oregon’s nationally recognized Christian universities, providing students with personal attention, global opportunities, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth. George Fox University is an accredited nonprofit institution consistently ranked among the nation’s top Christian colleges (Forbes), offering more than 60 undergraduate programs, 13 master’s and doctoral degrees, five degree-completion programs for working adults, and seven seminary degrees. George Fox University is ranked as the #213 National University in the country.
Learn more about George Fox University and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Multnomah University
Location: Portland, Oregon
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Middle 50% SAT: 960-1240
Middle 50% ACT: 20-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 365
Multnomah University is a private university that was founded in 1936. As a non-denominational Christian school, 35 denominations are represented in the campus community of “driven leaders, passionate explorers, and Christ-followers.” Students can choose from 21 undergraduate majors, ranging from Bible and Theology to Psychology to Human Resources Management. Additionally, Multnomah offers a variety of pre-professional programs to prepare students to thrive in grad school and their careers. Outside of the classroom there are 12 intercollegiate sports teams for students to join and cheer on.
Learn more about Multnomah University and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
Wondering what your odds are of admission at one of these great Oregon schools? CollegeVine can help. Our free chancing engine uses quantitative data like grades and standardized test scores along with qualitative factors like extracurricular activities, awards, and achievements to predict your odds of acceptance at hundreds of schools all across the country.
Our chancing engine can also help you build a balanced school list of colleges both in and out of Oregon. By providing your odds of acceptance, you can strategically assign safety, target, and reach schools and put yourself in the best position to get into a college that fits your needs and meets your expectations. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!
