Western Oregon University
#3 Best Education Colleges in OregonBottom 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.
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What The Data Says
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
Earnings 27% above the national college median.
Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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 keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 98% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 46%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Western Oregon University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $32,534 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $17,237 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,575 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $20,609.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Western Oregon University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Oregon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Based in Monmouth, Oregon, Western Oregon University keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 98% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Oregon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Western Oregon University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $32,534 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $17,237 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,575 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $20,609.
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 national averages for 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.49 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Oregon University.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.49 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note