Portland, Oregon Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Portland, Oregon shows: median public in-state tuition $18,430 (+234.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $62,205 (+14.5% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 85.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $16,562 (+23.3% vs U.S.) 43,259 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 21 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 43,259 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $18,430 (+234.4% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $62,205 (+14.5% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 85.8% (-2.2 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $28,810 (+189.1% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $16,562 (+23.3% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,750
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 73.4%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 88.0%

Download the data

Download JSON

Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.

Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Portland, Oregon—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Oregon and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Portland vs Oregon & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Portland, Oregon$18,430$28,810$16,56273.4%43,259
Oregon (state median)$6,345$10,548$13,59555.1%159,039
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Portland, Oregon vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Portland, Oregon$62,20585.8%88.0%2.8%—87.2%0.34
Oregon (state median)$60,17289.5%79.5%3.7%—76.2%0.37
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Oregon (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Portland, Oregon$18,430$28,810$16,56273.4%43,259$62,20585.8%
Eugene$16,878$21,194$21,82053.9%27,134$57,47489.3%
Salem$40,280$25,121$10,75060.6%9,303$52,91488.3%
Salem$40,280$25,121$10,75060.6%9,303$52,91488.3%
Bend$9,308$13,504$12,00055.6%4,979$64,01089.9%
Medford$7,168$23,864$7,5640.0%149N/AN/A
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Portland, Oregon

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit5$62,20584.2%88.3%2.8%—87.2%

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 79.8%, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 75.4%, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 71.5%, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 52.7%, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.7%, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 93.5%, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 85.8%, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 84.2%, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 77.9%, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 most selective colleges in Portland, Oregon (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 24.6%, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 78.5%, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 89.2%, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 90.9%, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $94,291, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $92,371, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $87,259, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,653, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $58,899, Warner Pacific University

    Warner Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 375 enrolled · Portland

  6. Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $53,110, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  7. Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $25,906, Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Private nonprofit · 420 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $125,929, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $113,889, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $104,592, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $92,453, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $81,567, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  6. Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $78,571, Warner Pacific University

    Warner Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 375 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $99,818, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $67,913, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,937, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,608, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,607, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $103,740, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $76,376, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,927, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,866, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,514, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $101,028, Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Public · 836 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $82,804, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,927, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,205, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $57,906, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $198,458, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $196,972, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $158,168, Warner Pacific University

    Warner Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 375 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $82,032, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $45,574, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $-57,738, Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Private nonprofit · 420 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Portland, Oregon (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $9,552, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $25,629, Warner Pacific University

    Warner Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 375 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $28,210, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $33,013, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $35,785, Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Pacific Northwest College of Art

    Private nonprofit · 420 enrolled · Portland

  6. Rank 6, Net Price, $36,013, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

Top 10 colleges in Portland, Oregon by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 88.8%, Lewis & Clark College

    Lewis & Clark College

    Private nonprofit · 2,120 enrolled · Portland

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 88.3%, University of Portland

    University of Portland

    Private nonprofit · 2,957 enrolled · Portland

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 87.6%, Reed College

    Reed College

    Private nonprofit · 1,320 enrolled · Portland

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 76.1%, Portland State University

    Portland State University

    Public · 13,182 enrolled · Portland

In-state tuition: Portland, Oregon vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Portland, Oregon median in-state tuition is $18,430, +234.4% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Portland, Oregon vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Portland, Oregon is $16,562 (+23.3% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,750.

Median earnings (10 years out): Portland, Oregon vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Portland, Oregon center around $62,205 (+14.5% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Portland, Oregon vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 85.8% at the median Portland, Oregon campus (-2.2 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Portland, Oregon median public in-state tuition is $18,430, about +234.4% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +461.2%.

Median graduate debt is $16,562 (+23.3% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Portland, Oregon are $62,205, about +14.5% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 85.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-2.2 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 88.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 2.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 87.2% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Oregon Health & Science University (94.7%), University of Portland (93.5%), Portland State University (85.8%), Lewis & Clark College (84.2%), Reed College (77.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Portland, Oregon, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $62,205 (5 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Portland, Oregon is 73.4% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Portland?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 21 campuses in Portland, Oregon with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Portland?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Portland is $18,430 and median net price is $28,810. For Oregon overall, medians are $6,345 and $10,548; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Portland?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Portland is $62,205 vs $60,172 for Oregon and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Portland colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Portland is $16,562 vs $13,595 for Oregon and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Portland?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include University of Portland (graduation) and Oregon Health & Science University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Portland?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 21 campuses in Portland, Oregon, 4 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Concorde Career College-Portland, Warner Pacific University, and Carrington College-Portland; 4 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Church of God (2), Roman Catholic (1), Undenominational (1).

Sources & related