Best Colleges in Oregon – 2024

Academic Highlights: Grades at the college are, paradoxically, both (a) difficult to earn and (b) completely unknown to the students themselves. The average GPA earned is 3.36, and only 13 students have graduated with a perfect 4.0 in the last four decades. The educational experience is highly personalized, and students work directly with their professors. Class sizes average 15 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. Study abroad opportunities exist at 80+ partner university programs in 30+ countries. The college funds a number of undergraduate research opportunities for students to work alongside faculty, and all students are required to complete their own senior thesis, which is essentially a mini-dissertation under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

Professional Outcomes: An examination of Reed’s alumni database reveals 90% of recent grads experienced positive outcomes, with 71% employed or volunteering and 19% heading to graduate or professional school. Included among the most frequent current employers are Google, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Intel Corporation, the US Department of State, Apple, and Nike. An incredible amount of Reedies continue their education; Reed was the No. 4 producer of future PhD holders across all academic disciplines.

Academic Highlights: 33 distinct majors are offered at Willamette. Aided by an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Willamette classes are exceptionally small with 75% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students; 20% of sections enroll fewer than 10. Undergraduate research is taken seriously, and Willamette offers more than 75 undergraduate research grants annually across all disciplines. A typical year also sees 40% of undergrads earn credit through study abroad opportunities in one of more than 40 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences entered the workforce at a rate of 63%. Currently, two dozen or more alumni work for the likes of Nike, Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, Intel, and Amazon. Grads work at various institutions of higher learning, including Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and Portland State University. Alumni enjoy an average mid-career salary of $129k. Portland has the highest concentration of Bearcats followed by Salem, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Academic Highlights: Over 300 degree programs are offered at UO. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, which leads to a mix of class sizes. The median class size is 20 students. 28% of a recent graduating class engaged in research, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program excels at connecting students to mentor professors on campus as well as external research opportunities. Over 500 students present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ducks study abroad in 60 countries, and roughly one-fifth of students do so at some point during their undergraduate years.

Professional Outcomes: Members of the Class of 2023 already had their next destination lined up at graduation with 85% already employed or entering graduate school. Nike, KPMG, Deloitte, Amazon, and Thermo Fisher Scientific employed recent grads. Hundreds of others occupy offices at Intel, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Adidas, and Salesforce. Of the 19% that pursued further education, 93% of the Class of 2023 remained at the University of Oregon.

Academic Highlights: Oregon State University spans 11 colleges and graduate schools, including an Honors College, offering students over 300 academic programs to explore. While 28% of classes maintain an intimate setting with fewer than 20 students, another 21% are larger sections with over 50 students, providing diverse learning environments. The university fosters hands-on research through initiatives like URSA Engage, administered by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and the Arts (URSA), which connects first- and second-year students with faculty mentors for early research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 71% of recent OSU alumni were either employed or pursuing graduate studies, with 59% entering the workforce and 10% continuing their education. College of Business graduates frequently land positions at top-tier companies such as Nike, Boeing, and Deloitte, while alumni across all majors secure roles at tech giants like Amazon, Google, and NVIDIA, showcasing the university’s strong industry connections.

Academic Highlights: Pacific University stands as the Pacific Northwest’s premier private research institution, offering students the best of both worlds—the intimate mentorship of a liberal arts college (with a remarkable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio) combined with the academic rigor of a comprehensive university. Students choose from 60+ majors and minors while benefiting from close faculty relationships and the personalized attention only possible in small class settings. This distinctive blend creates an ideal environment for undergraduate research and intellectual growth.

Professional Outcomes: Pacific graduates make significant contributions throughout the region, with alumni securing positions at leading employers like Oregon Health & Science University, Kaiser Permanente, and multiple school districts. The majority build their careers in the dynamic Portland metropolitan area, where they strengthen the region’s economy. These outcomes demonstrate how Pacific’s unique combination of small-college attention and research-intensive academics produces graduates who immediately impact their professional fields and communities.