Western Oregon University
#3 Best Education Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,815 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,237 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 19.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Education Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,257,303.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 27% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Oregon University Matters
Western Oregon University is a public university in Monmouth, OR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,103
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Western Oregon University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,237 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,815 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $20,609 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 62% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 98%, Western Oregon University is an accessible choice for students looking for a supportive environment where they can thrive. This school particularly appeals to those interested in practical fields such as Education, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Visual & Performing Arts. The welcoming atmosphere fosters a sense of community, making it easier for students to engage deeply with their studies and form lasting connections.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $51,815 within ten years, which is a solid foundation for starting a career. This earning potential can be particularly encouraging for those considering the affordability of their education. With 41% of students receiving Pell Grants, the financial support available helps many students focus on their studies rather than financial burdens.
The net price of attending Western Oregon University is $17,237 after aid, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. The median debt upon graduation stands at $20,609, a figure that many graduates find reasonable as they enter the workforce. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value a close-knit community and a focus on practical skills, ready to take advantage of the university's supportive environment to launch their careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Oregon University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Oregon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Monmouth, Oregon, Western Oregon University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,388
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
- Applicants
- 3,262
- Admitted
- 2,719
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Western Oregon University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 19% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 19%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 0%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 0%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 0% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Oregon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Oregon University is $32,534, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,237. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,575 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,609 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,879
- Out-of-State
- $32,534
- Avg Net Price
- $17,237
- Median Debt
- $20,609
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 74%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,575
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,585
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,151
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,243
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Oregon University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Oregon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Oregon University earn a median of $51,815, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,537
- 8 Years
- $46,467
- 10 Years
- $51,815
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (210)
- 25%
- 100% (210)
- 25%
- 100% (210)
- 25%
- 100% (210)
- 25%
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Oregon University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Oregon University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,237/year ($68,948 total). Graduates earn $51,815 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,326,251 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,257,303 (19.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,609, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $68,948
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,326,251
- Net Return
- $1,257,303
- ROI Multiple
- 19.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,237
- Median Debt
- $20,609
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Oregon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Oregon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,067
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,391,252
Top Programs
The fields Western Oregon University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 19% $45,751 early-career
- Psychology 12% $37,618 early-career
- Business & Marketing 10% $43,229 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $45,780 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $62,507 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $35,271 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $31,743 early-career
- English & Literature 3% $33,550 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Oregon University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Oregon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Monmouth, Oregon, Western Oregon University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Oregon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Oregon University is $32,534, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,237. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,575 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,609 in federal student loans.
Is Western Oregon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Oregon University earn a median of $51,815, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Western Oregon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Oregon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Oregon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Oregon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Western Oregon University offer Early Decision?
No. Western Oregon University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Western Oregon University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 0% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Western Oregon University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Western Oregon University?
About 19% of admitted students choose to enroll at Western Oregon University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Oregon University.
- Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Close peer53% grad $45,099 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi, NY · Close peer47% grad $51,629 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wingate UniversityWingate, NC · Close peer47% grad $52,649 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD · Close peer51% grad $55,493 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Oregon UniversityAshland, OR · Close peer43% grad $49,175 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI · Close peer48% grad $52,075 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Oregon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Oregon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note