Online colleges in Oregon have seen a steady increase in enrollment in recent years, leading to more distance learning options for both in-state students and those residing elsewhere. The state's key industries offer many career possibilities, and online colleges in Oregon are especially likely to offer programs related to these professions. If you wish to pursue a career in one of the state's top industries, attending an online college in Oregon can be the first step on the path to a rewarding, lucrative position, even if you live out of state.
In this guide, we explore numerous aspects of online education in Oregon, including tuition rates, scholarship opportunities, and a ranking of the best online colleges in Oregon. We also look at what graduates can expect as they enter the state's job market, from Oregon's fastest-growing sectors and highest paying roles to recent unemployment trends. Whether you live in Oregon or just pursue a career there, this guide can help you find an online college in Oregon that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Oregon
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Oregon
As of the 2015-2016 academic year, there were 63 degree-granting institutions in Oregon. Of these, 26 were public colleges or universities, 25 were private nonprofit schools, and 12 were for-profit private colleges. In 2016, 236,235 students were enrolled in one of those institutions, making the state's total student body significantly smaller than the national average of 389,039. Oregon is also home to fewer schools than other states, with most maintaining around 90 postsecondary institutions of any kind. While college enrollment nationwide declined by 5.6% between 2011 and 2016, Oregon's enrollment during the same time dropped by 8.8%. When compared with states such as Iowa, which saw enrollment reduced by 28.4%, these trends point to Oregon's relative stability and a higher education system roughly on par with the rest of the country.[dataviz-stats public="26" non-profit="25" for-profit="12"]As of 2018, the average tuition in Oregon was $5,310 per year for state residents and $10,610 for out-of-state students. By comparison, in-state students at the University of Oregon, the state's flagship school, paid $11,898 annually, while the university charged $35,478 a year for out-of-state tuition. While tuition rates at Oregon schools are typically more expensive than those in California, it is much cheaper to attend an Oregon institution than almost any school in New England. The state also sponsors a variety of financial aid initiatives to help candidates fund their studies. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Oregon students received $64,224,460 in need-based student aid.
Higher Education in Oregon
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Oregon
Despite an overall decline in college enrollment, online schools in Oregon are experiencing a slow but steady increase in enrollment. In 2015, 29% of all students took at least one course online, while only 22.6% did so in 2012. More students attended a mixture of on-campus and web-based classes than online courses exclusively. In 2015, 59,408 undergraduates took at least one class online, but only 21,699 were pursuing a degree entirely online. Similar to national rates, 60% of candidates enrolled exclusively in Oregon distance education programs were living in the state at the time. Roughly 30% of American students are enrolled in at least one online course, and 55% of distance learners live in the same state as their institution.[dataviz-nces online="8.9" undergrad="84" in-state="60"]One organization is working to promote online learning throughout Oregon. Consisting of representatives from the state's 17 community colleges, the Oregon Community College Distance Learning Association (OCCDLA) strives to advance distance education through advocacy, organization, and education. Along with digital teaching resources and professional development opportunities for instructors, OCCDLA seeks to expand student access to web-based classes through its unique course sharing model. Other OCCDLA initiatives include an open educational resource bank and emergent technology programs that harness the power of virtual reality and immersive learning methods. As groups like OCCDLA continue to influence and inspire similar projects at the university level, online enrollment in Oregon is expected to increase.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
While nearly every institution charges higher tuition rates for out-of-state candidates than state residents, this rule does not always apply to online programs. Many schools charge distance learners one flat rate, regardless of their state of residence. While nonresident online students still pay more at some institutions, there are other ways to reduce tuition costs. Some states — including Oregon — maintain agreements with other states which allow nonresidents to pay lower or in-state tuition rates while attending out-of-state schools.As a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Oregon participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). This program allows students from member states and territories to pay reduced rates when attending schools in other member states. While out-of-state tuition often costs as much as 300% of resident tuition, students in member states pay only 150%. The average WUE participant saves $9,000 a year. In addition to Oregon, WUE member states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, the United States Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Best Online Colleges in Oregon
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Oregon. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list out their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Oregon, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in Oregon or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Oregon
Below you'll find our list of the best online colleges in OR, sorted by the schools offering the lowest tuition.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges in Oregon is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in OR with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in Oregon
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Oregon
At just under 4%, Oregon's unemployment rate remains in line with the national average. As in every state, some Oregon industries and professions are more stable and lucrative than others, and drive a greater part of the state's economy. Oregon actively promotes several key industries, including advanced manufacturing, business operations, food and beverages, forestry and wood products, high technology, and outdoor gear and apparel. In response to these industries' increased growth, many of the best online colleges in Oregon offer programs and majors that train candidates to take on related careers.