# Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 35 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-oregon

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Oregon

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Klamath Community College has a net price of $7,050, making it the most affordable option in Oregon.
- Portland State University graduates earn an average of $57,906, which is significantly higher than the $34,357 earned by Klamath Community College grads.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 46%, a key consideration for students evaluating their chances of completing a degree.
- Students at Clackamas Community College graduate with an average debt of $11,992, which is lower compared to the $20,500 debt typical for Portland State University graduates.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Portland State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/portland-state-university) | Portland, OR | 53% | $57,906 | $9,552 | $20,500 | 0.35x |
| 2 | [Klamath Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/klamath-community-college) | Klamath Falls, OR | 39% | $34,357 | $7,050 | $17,480 | 0.51x |
| 3 | [Clackamas Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clackamas-community-college) | Oregon City, OR | 23% | $42,886 | $7,855 | $11,992 | 0.28x |
| 4 | [Umpqua Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/umpqua-community-college) | Roseburg, OR | 31% | $36,676 | $8,340 | $9,000 | 0.25x |
| 5 | [Southwestern Oregon Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-oregon-community-college) | Coos Bay, OR | 39% | $38,349 | $8,527 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 6 | [Chemeketa Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chemeketa-community-college) | Salem, OR | 22% | $40,968 | $8,200 | $12,822 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Portland Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/portland-community-college) | Portland, OR | 18% | $44,592 | $10,405 | $12,999 | 0.29x |
| 8 | [Tillamook Bay Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tillamook-bay-community-college) | Tillamook, OR | 31% | N/A | $5,405 | N/A | N/A |
| 9 | [Mt Hood Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mt-hood-community-college) | Gresham, OR | 25% | $41,125 | $7,821 | $13,667 | 0.33x |
| 10 | [Columbia Gorge Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-gorge-community-college) | The Dalles, OR | 22% | $44,440 | $10,416 | $19,397 | 0.44x |
| 11 | [Lane Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lane-community-college) | Eugene, OR | 20% | $38,075 | $9,123 | $14,761 | 0.39x |
| 12 | [Clatsop Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clatsop-community-college) | Astoria, OR | 27% | $39,477 | $10,548 | $11,602 | 0.29x |
| 13 | [Treasure Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/treasure-valley-community-college) | Ontario, OR | 32% | $36,738 | $11,172 | $12,000 | 0.33x |
| 14 | [Linn-Benton Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/linn-benton-community-college) | Albany, OR | 27% | $41,363 | $11,553 | $11,961 | 0.29x |
| 15 | [Central Oregon Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-oregon-community-college) | Bend, OR | 25% | $38,940 | $12,266 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 16 | [Blue Mountain Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/blue-mountain-community-college) | Pendleton, OR | 27% | $38,375 | $13,095 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 17 | [Oregon Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oregon-institute-of-technology) | Klamath Falls, OR | 56% | $72,273 | $15,706 | $22,500 | 0.31x |
| 18 | [Oregon Coast Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oregon-coast-community-college) | Newport, OR | 34% | N/A | $7,666 | N/A | N/A |
| 19 | [Southern Oregon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-oregon-university) | Ashland, OR | 43% | $49,175 | $16,732 | $20,332 | 0.41x |
| 20 | [Eastern Oregon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-oregon-university) | La Grande, OR | 40% | $50,112 | $17,148 | $20,500 | 0.41x |
| 21 | [Western Oregon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-oregon-university) | Monmouth, OR | 46% | $51,815 | $17,237 | $20,609 | 0.4x |
| 22 | [Oregon State University-Cascades Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oregon-state-university-cascades-campus) | Bend, OR | 54% | $64,010 | $18,048 | $21,221 | 0.33x |
| 23 | [Oregon State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oregon-state-university) | Corvallis, OR | 70% | $64,010 | $19,604 | $21,221 | 0.33x |
| 24 | [University of Oregon](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-oregon) | Eugene, OR | 72% | $61,324 | $22,182 | $20,139 | 0.33x |
| 25 | [Bushnell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bushnell-university) | Eugene, OR | 59% | $53,623 | $20,789 | $23,500 | 0.44x |
| 26 | [Willamette University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/willamette-university) | Salem, OR | 72% | $56,911 | $25,121 | $21,500 | 0.38x |
| 27 | [Warner Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/warner-pacific-university) | Portland, OR | 66% | $55,204 | $25,629 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 28 | [Linfield University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/linfield-university) | McMinnville, OR | 68% | $78,638 | $26,536 | $25,000 | 0.32x |
| 29 | [Corban University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/corban-university) | Salem, OR | 61% | $48,917 | $28,035 | $22,625 | 0.46x |
| 30 | [University of Portland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-portland) | Portland, OR | 80% | $82,804 | $28,210 | $21,370 | 0.26x |
| 31 | [George Fox University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-fox-university) | Newberg, OR | 70% | $59,761 | $31,679 | $24,250 | 0.41x |
| 32 | [Reed College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/reed-college) | Portland, OR | 74% | $62,927 | $33,013 | $21,500 | 0.34x |
| 33 | [Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pacific-university) | Forest Grove, OR | 66% | $60,583 | $35,273 | $23,223 | 0.38x |
| 34 | [Lewis & Clark College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lewis-clark-college) | Portland, OR | 73% | $62,205 | $36,013 | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 35 | [Pacific Northwest College of Art](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pacific-northwest-college-of-art) | Portland, OR | 36% | $34,883 | $35,785 | $25,000 | 0.72x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-oregon

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.