Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon
- 35
- Schools
- $51,013
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,478
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,278
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 35 schools run from $34,357 to $82,804, a 2.4× 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 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Umpqua Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.25× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Portland State University ($57,906 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Portland ($82,804), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- 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
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Portland State University and University of Portland. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $49K ten years after enrollment.
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 Portland State University #1 overall | $57,906 ▲ +14% vs avg | $9,552 | 53% | 79 |
| 2 Klamath Community College #2 overall | $34,357 ▼ -33% vs avg | $7,050 | 39% | 79 |
| 3 Clackamas Community College #3 overall | $42,886 ▼ -16% vs avg | $7,855 | 23% | 78 |
| $36,676 ▼ -28% vs avg | $8,340 | 31% | 77 | |
| $38,349 ▼ -25% vs avg | $8,527 | 39% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon
This analysis ranks 35 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,013 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $17,478.
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
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$49,175
Median earnings (10yr)
40%
Median graduation rate
$15,706
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
The median graduation rate across these 35 schools is 40%. Median graduate earnings reach $49,175 ten years after enrollment, roughly $1,175 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $15,706 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,332. Some 31% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $15,706, with graduates earning a median of $49,175 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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
Portland State University lands at #1 with a 79/100 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, 14% 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 #2
Klamath Community College lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (55/100). Graduates earn a median $34,357 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,050 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 #3
Clackamas Community College lands at #3 with a 78/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Umpqua Community College lands at #4 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $36,676 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,340 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
Southwestern Oregon Community College lands at #5 with a 76/100 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, 25% 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 #6
Chemeketa Community College lands at #6 with a 74/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Portland Community College lands at #7 with a 73/100 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, 13% 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 #8
Tillamook Bay Community College lands at #8 with a 73/100 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 #9
Mt Hood Community College lands at #9 with a 73/100 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, 19% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Columbia Gorge Community College lands at #10 with a 73/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Lane Community College lands at #11 with a 73/100 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, 25% 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 #12
Clatsop Community College lands at #12 with a 73/100 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, 23% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Treasure Valley Community College lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,738 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,172 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
Linn-Benton Community College lands at #14 with a 71/100 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, 19% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Central Oregon Community College lands at #15 with a 70/100 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, 24% 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 #16
Blue Mountain Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 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, 25% 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 #17
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 42% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Oregon Coast Community College lands at #18 with a 65/100 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
Why it ranks #19
Southern Oregon University lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $49,175 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,732 a year. 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
Eastern Oregon University lands at #20 with a 62/100 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, 2% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Western Oregon University lands at #21 with a 62/100 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, 2% above 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus lands at #22 with a 60/100 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, 25% 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 #23
Oregon State University lands at #23 with a 60/100 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, 25% 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 #24
University of Oregon lands at #24 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $61,324 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,182 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 #25
Bushnell University lands at #25 with a 55/100 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, 5% 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 #26
Willamette University lands at #26 with a 48/100 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, 12% 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 #27
Warner Pacific University lands at #27 with a 45/100 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, 8% 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 #28
Linfield University lands at #28 with a 44/100 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, 54% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Corban University lands at #29 with a 42/100 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, 4% 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 #30
University of Portland lands at #30 with a 42/100 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, 62% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
George Fox University lands at #31 with a 35/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Reed College lands at #32 with a 33/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,927 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,013 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 #33
Pacific University lands at #33 with a 28/100 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, 19% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Lewis & Clark College lands at #34 with a 27/100 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, 22% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Pacific Northwest College of Art lands at #35 with a 26/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (50/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $34,883 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,785 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 35 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When it comes to finding an affordable college, Oregon has several options that stand out for their low net prices. Each of the schools on this list is committed to providing education that won't break the bank, with net prices starting as low as $7,050. This focus on affordability is crucial for families assessing the return on investment for higher education.
The most significant factors to consider when evaluating these schools include graduation rates, average earnings post-graduation, and the amount of debt students carry. For instance, while Klamath Community College has a lower net price than Portland State University, its graduation rate is 39% compared to Portland State's 53%. Understanding these outcomes helps families make informed decisions about where to invest their time and money.
Take Klamath Community College and Portland State University, for example. Klamath has a net price of $7,050 but a lower average earning of $34,357 and a graduation rate of 39%. In contrast, Portland State has a higher net price of $9,552, yet boasts an average earning of $57,906 and a 53% graduation rate. This contrast highlights the trade-off between immediate affordability and long-term financial benefits, guiding prospective students to think critically about their choices.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 28 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Oregon Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.5%, with Portland State University (2%) and Southwestern Oregon Community College (2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Klamath Community College leads at 27.8%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 19.4% across this list. Willamette University posts the highest success rate at 52.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.28 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Lewis & Clark College reaches 1.78, the highest on the list.
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
Looking closely at the data, we see a notable difference between Klamath Community College and Portland State University. While Klamath has a net price of $7,050 and a graduation rate of 39%, Portland State's higher net price of $9,552 comes with the advantage of a 53% graduation rate and an average earning of $57,906. This indicates that while Klamath may save money upfront, Portland State could lead to greater financial stability post-graduation.
As you sift through these 35 schools, consider how the data aligns with your personal priorities. Think about factors like location, specific programs, and campus culture alongside financial considerations. If a school has a lower net price but a high debt load or low graduation rates, weigh that against your career goals and financial situation to find the best fit.
Ultimately, this data paints a clear picture of the connection between education and financial stability. Families must recognize that the choices made now can significantly influence future earning potential and quality of life. One student's decision could create lasting impacts, making it essential to approach this journey thoughtfully.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon ranking? +
Portland State University in Portland, OR ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $57,906 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 53% 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 $51,013 average across the 33 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 46% 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 $17,478 a year across the 35 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 Most Affordable 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 35 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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