The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Oregon
What’s Covered:
- Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
Dream of attending college in Oregon? Now, you can further your education in the Beaver State without having to take out exorbitant loans or max out your savings. There are plenty of affordable colleges and universities right at your doorstep.
Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon
1. Eastern Oregon University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $11,076/$25,431
Location: La Grande, OR
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,515
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a center for education, culture, and scholarships in rural Oregon—in 2018, the Governor designated it Oregon’s Rural University. Formerly part of the Oregon University system, the school offers a range of programs, including master’s and bachelor’s degree programs.
EOU students can pursue degrees in person or fully online through the school’s:
- College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- College of STM and Health Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
Learn more about Eastern Oregon University and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Western Oregon University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $11,879/$32,534
Location: Monmouth, OR
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,249
Western Oregon University (WOU) offers more than 60 majors, along with a wide range of graduate and certificate programs. The university is especially well known for fields such as American Sign Language studies, education, and criminal justice. Notably, WOU is the only university in Oregon to offer a bachelor’s degree in gerontology.
WOU has also been recognized as a top college for Native American students and military veterans.
Learn more about Western Oregon University and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Portland State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $11,679/$31,074
Location: Portland, OR
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,960
Portland State University (PSU) offers more than 200 degree programs to students in one of the nation’s most vibrant cities. Top undergraduate majors include:
- Psychology
- Computer science
- Accounting
- Biology
- Marketing
PSU has a reputation for innovation and research. It’s also affordable—54% of undergraduates who begin at PSU graduate debt-free.
Learn more about Portland State University and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Southern Oregon University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $12,762/$31,887
Location: Ashland, OR
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,368
Founded in 1872 as Ashland Academy, today Southern Oregon University (SOU) is one of the public universities in Oregon. It offers over 100 academic programs, including 39 majors, plus graduate and certificate programs.
SOU prioritizes sustainability—it’s the nation’s first Bee Campus USA, a designated Tree Campus, and boasts LEED Gold campus housing. Backpacker Magazine named SOU one of its best colleges for hikers.
Learn more about Southern Oregon University and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Oregon Institute of Technology
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $13,260/$37,196
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,012
No matter their path, students receive strong support as they explore their options at the Oregon Institute of Technology, more simply known as Oregon Tech. The university offers abundant hands-on, experiential learning opportunities across its 47 degree programs, spanning fields such as engineering, health technologies, psychology, and applied sciences.
In addition to being one of the most affordable colleges in Oregon, Oregon Tech is also a smart investment, with graduates earning the highest salaries of any four-year university in the state.
Learn more about the Oregon Institute of Technology and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $13,566/$37,356
Location: Bend, OR
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,058
The first university campus to be built in Oregon in 50 years, Oregon State University’s Cascades Campus (OSU Cascades) opened in 2016. The fast-growing campus caters to first-generation students (roughly a quarter of the student body), underserved populations, and adults seeking career advancement.
Students enjoy a wide range of experiential learning opportunities such as internships, study abroad, service learning, research, and much more.
Learn more about OSU Cascades and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Oregon State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $14,400/$38,190
Location: Corvallis, OR
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 30,021
With more research funding than any other public university in Oregon, Oregon State University (OSU) consists of two campuses, 11 colleges, 11 experiment stations, and nearly 200 academic programs. The university attracts students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
OSU has more research funding than any other public university in Oregon. It’s also one of three land, sea, space, and sun grant universities in the U.S., highlighting the breadth of research that occurs at the university.
Learn more about Oregon State University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. University of Oregon
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $16,137/$44,598
Location: Eugene, OR
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,963
The University of Oregon offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs through its nine colleges and schools:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Lundquist College of Business
- College of Design
- College of Education
- Clark Honors College
- School of Journalism and Communication
- School of Music and Dance
- School of Law
- Graduate School
It’s one of just two schools in the Pacific Northwest that are members of the Association of American Universities, a consortium of 65 leading research universities. Fun fact: while the classic film Animal House was inspired by Dartmouth College, it was filmed at the University of Oregon.
Learn more about the University of Oregon and what it takes to get accepted.
9. New Hope Christian College-Eugene
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $17,620/$17,620
Location: Eugene, OR
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 46
Offering two- and four-year degrees, including online options and certificates, New Hope is a Christian Bible college focusing on the vocational application of ministry training in areas like pastoral studies, Christian counseling, and Christian education. It also offers programs in the creative arts, like music and worship, dance and drama, and technology and production.
New Hope Christian College-Eugene is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
Learn more about New Hope Christian College-Eugene and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Warner Pacific University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $22,220/$22,220
Location: Portland, OR
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 350
Warner Pacific University (WPU) is a private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Church of God. WPU offers 29 majors and 22 minors, along with pre-professional and graduate programs.
Nearly all (99%) full-time WPU students receive financial aid and 51% of students are Pell Grant recipients. The university boasts that its tuition is more than 40% lower than the average tuition at private universities in the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more about Warner Pacific University and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
1. Search for scholarships.
There are plenty of scholarships—both niche and broad—available to help you pay for college. Begin your search early and apply for as many awards as possible. This will allow you to offset the cost of tuition, since scholarships don’t require repayment.
2. Apply for schools that meet 100% of need.
Many top schools have committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. That means that if you get in, you can rest assured that your college will give you enough support to pay for your education.
3. Explore the possibility of commuting.
If you attend a local school, you may be able to live at home and commute to campus. Or, if you attend your classes entirely online, you won’t have to worry about housing.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
No matter where you’re planning on attending college, you need to know how much you should expect to pay. Our free financial aid calculator will help. Find out your estimated cost of attendance at a wide range of colleges in Oregon and beyond.
