Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon
- 15
- Schools
- $54,138
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,826
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,465
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,075 at the low end to $82,804 at the top. That 2.2× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Portland State University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $57,906 against $9,552 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Mt Hood Community College, at $7,821 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Portland graduates 80% of its students, well above the 48% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Portland: graduates owe only 0.26× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Oregon State University ($64,010 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Portland ($82,804). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Mt Hood Community College ($7,821/yr) and Lewis & Clark College ($36,013/yr) produce graduates earning $41,125 and $62,205 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $28,192 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Portland State University outperforms University of Portland: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Portland State University and University of Portland. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $52K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oregon State University #1 overall | $64,010 ▲ +18% vs avg | $19,604 | 70% | 78 |
| 2 Oregon Institute of Technology #2 overall | $72,273 ▲ +33% vs avg | $15,706 | 56% | 75 |
| 3 University of Portland #3 overall | $82,804 ▲ +53% vs avg | $28,210 | 80% | 74 |
| $57,906 ▲ +7% vs avg | $9,552 | 53% | 73 | |
| $56,911 ▲ +5% vs avg | $25,121 | 72% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon
This analysis ranks 15 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,138 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $17,826.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Portland State University — Net Price: $9,552 | Graduation Rate: 53%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Portland — 80% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Portland — Median alumni earnings: $82,804
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$51,815
Median earnings (10yr)
53%
Median graduation rate
$17,148
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Across the 15 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $51,815 ten years after they first enrolled, about $3,815 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 53%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $17,148 a year, with about $20,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 28% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $51,815 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Oregon State University lands at #1 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $64,010 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,604 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #2 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $72,273 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,706 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Portland lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $82,804 a decade after enrolling, 53% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,210 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Portland State University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,906 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,552 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Willamette University lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,911 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,121 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $64,010 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,048 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Lewis & Clark College lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $62,205 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Eastern Oregon University lands at #8 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,112 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,148 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Western Oregon University lands at #9 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $51,815 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,237 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Portland Community College lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $44,592 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,405 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Corban University lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,917 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,035 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Blue Mountain Community College lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,375 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Central Oregon Community College lands at #13 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,940 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,266 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Lane Community College lands at #14 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $38,075 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,123 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Mt Hood Community College lands at #15 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $41,125 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,821 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 15 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Choosing the right data science program can be daunting, especially with options spread across Oregon. These institutions share a focus on preparing students for careers in one of the fastest-growing fields. In fact, data science graduates in Oregon can expect average earnings of about $53,436 after completing their degrees.
What sets the strongest programs apart are their outcomes. This includes metrics like graduate rates, average earnings, net price, and student debt. The schools listed here have been evaluated on these critical factors to give you a clearer picture of potential career success and financial implications. For instance, while some schools boast higher earnings, they may also come with increased debt.
Take Oregon State University and the University of Portland as examples. OSU reports earnings of $64,010 with a graduation rate of 70%, while University of Portland graduates earn significantly more at $82,804 but face a higher average net price of $28,210. Understanding these contrasts is essential as you consider which program aligns best with your career goals and financial situation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 13 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Oregon Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.5%, with Portland State University (2%) and Eastern Oregon University (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Blue Mountain Community College enrolls the most, at 11.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 22.8% across the list, peaking at 52.4% at Willamette University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Lewis & Clark College is highest at 1.78.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Oregon Institute of Technology and the University of Portland highlight a key pattern in this data. While OIT graduates have higher earnings ($72,273) compared to Portland State ($57,906), they graduate at a lower rate of 56% versus Portland's 80%. This difference is critical when considering not just the potential salary but the likelihood of completing the program.
Now that you've reviewed the data, think about your priorities. Are you willing to take on more debt for higher potential earnings? Schools like the University of Portland may provide a richer educational experience but at a cost. Consider factors like location, campus culture, and financial aid as you weigh your options against these statistics.
Ultimately, the transition from college to a stable life hinges on these data points. For one family, the decision to invest in education at the University of Portland means a higher upfront cost but also the potential for greater long-term financial reward. Each choice leads to different outcomes, underscoring the importance of aligning your educational path with your financial goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon ranking? +
Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $64,010 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 70% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Portland posts the highest median earnings on this list: $82,804 ten years after enrollment, well above the $54,138 average across the 15 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Portland State University leads: graduates earn a median $57,906 against net price of about $9,552 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Portland has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 80%, compared with a 48% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,826 a year across the 15 ranked schools with cost data. Mt Hood Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $7,821. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Oregon ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 15 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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