Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Oregon
- 24
- Schools
- $52,469
- Avg. Earnings
- 44%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,793
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,931
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 24 schools run from $38,075 to $82,804, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Portland State University delivers the most for the money: roughly $57,906 in median earnings against $9,552 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Tillamook Bay Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,405 a year in net price.
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University of Portland graduates 80% of its students, versus a 44% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Portland carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.26× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- On value, Portland State University beats University of Portland: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Portland finishes 80% of students while Portland Community College finishes 18%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Portland State University and University of Portland. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare 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 $54K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. 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 University of Portland #1 overall | $82,804 ▲ +58% vs avg | $28,210 | 80% | 89 |
| 2 Oregon Institute of Technology #2 overall | $72,273 ▲ +38% vs avg | $15,706 | 56% | 87 |
| 3 Linfield University #3 overall | $78,638 ▲ +50% vs avg | $26,536 | 68% | 86 |
| $38,349 ▼ -27% vs avg | $8,527 | 39% | 75 | |
| $59,761 ▲ +14% vs avg | $31,679 | 70% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Oregon
This analysis ranks 24 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,469 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 44% and an average net price of $15,793.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$49,108
Median earnings (10yr)
36%
Median graduation rate
$11,910
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Start with the medians across these 24 schools. Graduates earn a median of $49,108 ten years after enrollment, or about $1,108 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 36%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $11,910 a year with about $19,949 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 30% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. University of Portland leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $49,108 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Portland lands at #1 with a 89/100 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, 58% 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 #2
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #2 with a 87/100 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, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,706 a year. 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
Linfield University lands at #3 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $78,638 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,536 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
Southwestern Oregon Community College lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,349 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,527 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 #5
George Fox University lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $59,761 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,679 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
Clatsop Community College lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $39,477 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,548 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Portland State University lands at #7 with a 74/100 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, 10% 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 #8
Pacific University lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $60,583 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,273 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 #9
Warner Pacific University lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $55,204 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,629 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Linn-Benton Community College lands at #10 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,363 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,553 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Oregon State University lands at #11 with a 72/100 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, 22% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Central Oregon Community College lands at #12 with a 72/100 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, 26% 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 #13
Willamette University lands at #13 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Portland Community College lands at #14 with a 68/100 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, 15% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Clackamas Community College lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,886 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,855 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 #16
Columbia Gorge Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,416 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 #17
Chemeketa Community College lands at #17 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $40,968 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,200 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 #18
Lane Community College lands at #18 with a 67/100 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, 27% 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 #19
Blue Mountain Community College lands at #19 with a 67/100 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, 27% 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 #20
Bushnell University lands at #20 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $53,623 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,789 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus lands at #21 with a 65/100 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, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,048 a year, above the field. 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 #22
Mt Hood Community College lands at #22 with a 58/100 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, 22% 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
Why it ranks #23
Tillamook Bay Community College lands at #23 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (100/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Net price runs $5,405 a year, well under the field. 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 #24
Oregon Coast Community College lands at #24 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Net price runs $7,666 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.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 24 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 Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing is a crucial field that demands not only a commitment to patient care but also a strong educational foundation. Choosing the right nursing program can significantly affect career outcomes. In Oregon, these nursing colleges are distinguished by their focus on preparing students for success in a challenging yet rewarding profession.
The schools listed here are ranked based on key outcomes, including earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and student debt levels. These metrics help paint a clearer picture of what a nursing education can offer in terms of financial stability and career mobility. As you browse the list, keep in mind that higher earnings and lower debt can reflect a school's ability to equip its graduates for the workforce.
For instance, the University of Portland stands out with impressive earnings of $82,804 and an 80% graduation rate. In contrast, Bushnell University offers a lower earning potential of $53,623 and a graduation rate of 59%. This comparison highlights the tradeoffs students may face when selecting a program, emphasizing the importance of aligning choices with personal and financial goals.
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 18 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 Southwestern Oregon Community College (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Southwestern Oregon Community College enrolls the most, at 15.6%, 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 20.2% 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 1.25, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and University of Portland is highest at 1.76.
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
A closer look reveals that the University of Portland's strong outcomes stem from its higher graduation rate and earnings compared to Bushnell University. While Portland graduates earn $82,804, Bushnell graduates see only $53,623, illustrating how graduation rates directly inform earning potential.
For students reviewing this data, consider your personal priorities. Are you looking for a program that offers higher earning potential, or is a lower net price more appealing? Reflect on factors like campus culture, location, and the specific nursing specialties offered at each school. These considerations can help you find the best fit beyond just the numbers.
Ultimately, the data reflects the journey from college into a stable and rewarding career in nursing. A well-chosen program can lead to meaningful employment and financial security. Each family must weigh options carefully, as the decision made today will impact future opportunities and quality of life.
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 Nursing Colleges in Oregon: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Oregon ranking? +
University of Portland in Portland, OR ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Oregon ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $82,804 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 80% 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 $52,469 average across the 22 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 44% 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 $15,793 a year across the 24 ranked schools with cost data. Tillamook Bay Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,405. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing 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 24 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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