Top Value Colleges in Oregon
Top Value Oregon Colleges
Below you will find a list of the top value colleges in Oregon that we found to provide the highest academic and career-based value for students. In our study, we utilized a number of data sources from the US Census Bureau to the US Department of Education coupled with student and alumni feedback to ascertain the important elements of value in a college education. Our team collected college data and arrived at the top value Oregon colleges for you to research further. Remember to use your best judgment and prioritize your academic goals and career aspirations to narrow down your list of top colleges.
List of Top Value Oregon Colleges
Sumner College
With two campuses in Portland, Oregon namely Medical Assisting School and Cascade Station, Sumner College is a private community college that provides high-quality education and hands-on experience to individuals within Oregon and some cities in Washington. The college has been creating a safe and secure learning environment for the past 45 years to promote the intellectual growth and development of its students. Sumner College sumnercollege.edu offers four programs in the health sciences, the Cascade Station Campus houses three programs in nursing namely Practical Nursing Program, Associate Degree in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and a Medical Assisting Program. The Medical Assisting School, which is just minutes away from the main campus, exclusively offers an 8-month Medical Assisting program. All of the programs provide hands-on learning as well as externship opportunities in different hospitals and specialty practices. Prior to graduation, the Student & Career Services Department works closely with students to obtain employment in their fields through employer and community partnerships such as Employer Career Fairs, Sumner College Edge, and Professional Development Workshops.
Concorde Career College – Portland
For over 50 years of providing healthcare education, Concorde Career College – Portland is a private career college that offers career-driven healthcare programs in the area of Portland, Oregon, and surrounding cities. The college is part of the 16-campus Concorde Career Colleges that aims to prepare students for successful employment and rewarding healthcare professions. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Concorde – Portland offers a wide variety of on-campus and online programs in the areas of nursing, dental, patient care, and allied health. The diploma and associate degrees available are in practical nursing, medical assisting, polysomnographic technology, dental assisting, and many more which can be completed in as fast as 8 months. The Portland campus also offers students a wide range of services like a learning resource center, hands-on laboratories, and student and career services. The college is in partnership with Northwest Career College Federation – Oregon and Oregon Society for Respiratory Care in providing the best quality healthcare education for students and adults in Portland and nearby cities.
Reed College
Reed College is a private independent liberal arts and sciences college based in Portland, Oregon. Established in 1908, the college is among the most intellectual colleges in the United States that is known for providing high standards of open intellectual inquiry, creative thinking, scholarly practice, and engaged citizenship. With more than 1,400 students, the college offers more than 40 majors and programs that lead to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The programs are classified among 5 academic divisions namely Arts, History and Social Sciences, Literature and Languages, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, and Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics. As a liberal arts and sciences college, the program curricula include a substantial humanities core and comprehensive major-specific courses. The college also has an International Programs Office which is responsible for various services for the college community involving international educational opportunities. Visit reed.edu to know more about the college’s programs and activities.
Lewis and Clark College
Originally named the Albany Collegiate Institute in 1867, Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college located in Portland, Oregon. The college aims to pursue new ways of knowledge by blending classic liberal education with pioneering collaboration to engage its diverse community in learning, research, and creative inquiry. With three schools namely the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the School of Law, the college offers more than 60 majors and minors that lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The programs consist of three main categories of classes and courses: general education, major-specific requirements, and electives. The general education classes cover the first-year seminar courses as well as courses in global and historical perspectives, world languages, natural sciences, creative arts, physical education, and many more. Students may seek help from the college’s Academic Awards & Fellowships Office to learn about national grants for international exchange, graduate study, and professional placement. Explore different programs offered by the college at lclark.edu.
University of Portland
The University of Portland (UP) is a private Catholic university serving over 4,200 students on its campus in Portland, Oregon that has been ranked as the best-value private university in the state. The university has been affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross since its founding in 1901 which also established the University of Notre Dame. As the only comprehensive university within the state with schools of business, engineering, education, nursing, a graduate school, and a College of Arts and Sciences, the university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and minors and 18 graduate programs led by award-winning faculty members. In 2015, the university was recognized as one of the 14 schools in the country as top producers of student and faculty Fulbright awardees. The university offers extensive resources for the community through educational and research opportunities as well as additional community offerings like cultural events, athletic events, speakers, and lectures. Some of the academic resource centers available to students are Dundon-Berchtold Institute, Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, Garaventa Center, Shepard Academic Resource Center, and STEM Center. See more information about the college’s academics and student life by visiting the school’s primary web portal.
Phagans’ Central Oregon Beauty College
The Phagans’ Central Oregon Beauty College is a small private beauty college within Oregon that operates under the Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges. Supporting around 100 students on its campus in Bend, Oregon, the college provides comprehensive instruction and training on cosmetology with integrated business, creativity, and life skill courses. As a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Colleges, the college has 4 main programs namely Hair Design, Barbering, Nail Technology, and Esthetics that range from 3 to 7 months to complete. Students may also combine programs like the Hair Design, Esthetics, and Nail Technology bundled program that can be finished within a year. The college, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, features a unique Academic Framework which systematically lays down all the available training programs through four levels of advanced classes of comprehensive training in a hands-on environment. As part of the program, the college owns a student salon that serves as a practical learning laboratory for students to apply and refine their knowledge and skills with actual clients. The college gives back to the community through several programs like Marathon Day to raise funds for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, among others, and free or discounted haircuts for school-age children, senior citizens, and veterans.
Phagans’ Medford Beauty School
With roughly 50 students on its campus in Medford, Oregon, the Phagans’ Medford Beauty School is a small private beauty school that operates under the Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges. Aside from instruction and training on creativity and cosmetology, the college also includes business and life skills in its program curricula. Offering programs that can be finished within 3 months, the college’s main programs are Hair Design, Nail Technology, Barbering, and Esthetics with the option to combine them into bundled programs like the Esthetics and Nail Technology which can be finished within 6 months and Hair Design, Esthetics, and Nail Technology which can be finished within just a year. The college is a proud member of the American Association of Cosmetology Colleges and is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. The program curricula feature a unique Academic Framework which strategically lays out all the available training programs for students through four levels of advanced courses and comprehensive training in a hands-on learning environment. Students are also trained and refined through the college’s student salon which serves as their practical learning laboratory where they can apply their knowledge and skills and work with actual clients. The college conducts a Marathon Day which aims to raise funds for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, among others. The college offers free or discounted haircuts as well for school-age children, veterans, and senior citizens. Read more about the requirements for each program today.
Linfield College – McMinnville Campus
Linfield University is a private undergraduate university headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon that has been considered a secondary school during its founding in 1858 as the Baptist College at McMinnville. The university is ranked as the best college in the West as it offers an affordable education and inclusive community to prepare students for career success. With a regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Linfield offers diverse academic programs through its three colleges and schools namely College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, and School of Nursing. The university offers programs that can be taken on-campus and online which lead to either a certificate or a bachelor’s degree. The Linfield curriculum provides general education courses that are grounded in the liberal arts to foster critical thinking and communication skills to nearly 2,000 students. Beyond the classroom, students can take advantage of different academic opportunities within the university such as January Term, international programs, collaborative research, national and international honor society memberships, and Student Symposium.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon (UO) is a public research university located in Eugene, Oregon that has been serving roughly 22,000 students annually since 1876. It is recognized as the top public university in the state known for its commitment to teaching and research prowess to transform lives and serve the people of Oregon, the nation, and the world. As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, UO houses faculty members awarded with Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Medal of Science, and MacArthur Fellowship, among others. The university offers more than 330 certificate and degree programs across nine schools and colleges namely College of Arts and Sciences, Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, College of Design, College of Education, Robert D. Clark Honors College, School of Journalism & Communication, School of Music and Dance, School of Law, and Graduate School. Some of the top programs offered in the university are Business Administration, Psychology, Journalism, Human Physiology, and Biology. Students are valued and guided by the university through support services such as Accessible Education Center and University Counseling & Testing Center, study help and tutoring services such as Teaching and Learning Center and UO Libraries, and academic advising programs such as Office of Academic Advising and PathwayOregon.
Phagans’ Grants Pass College of Beauty
The Phagans’ Grants Pass College of Beauty is a small private beauty college in Grants Pass, Oregon that is one of the 5 locations of Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges. With nearly 50 students, the college provides extensive instruction and training on creativity and cosmetology with embedded courses related to business and life skills. With the option to combine programs, the college offers single programs that can be finished in as fast as 3 months, and these include Nail Technology, Hair Design, Barbering, and Esthetics. Some of the combined programs offered by the college are Esthetics and Nail Technology, and Hair Design, Esthetics, and Nail Technology which can be completed in 6 to 12 months. As a proud member of the American Association of Cosmetology Colleges, the college boasts a unique Academic Framework which strategically lays out all the applicable training programs for students by providing a hands-on learning environment and four levels of advanced courses and comprehensive training in the respective field. The college is also accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences which allows students to provide services in the college’s student salon during their program so they can apply their knowledge and skills with actual clients. With rich community outreach programs, the college offers free or discounted haircuts, and conducts fund-raising programs for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Wings of Karen, among others.
Willamette University
Established in 1842, Willamette University (WU) is the oldest private university in the Western United States serving more than 1,800 students on its campus in Salem, Oregon. The university embraces its rich history of creativity and innovation as it commits to providing rigorous higher education, fostering critical thinking, and offering an excellent scholarship to transform knowledge into action. Willamette is known for its Willamette Edge which is the university’s interconnected and multidisciplinary approach to higher education that leads to new discoveries and ways of thinking. As a member of the Annapolis Group of Colleges, the university offers more than 50 academic programs with liberal arts core through its undergraduate College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate College of Law, and Graduate College of Management. The university also offers numerous accelerated, dual degree, and international programs to allow students to gain global perspectives and connections. Students get the highest quality of education through the guidance of award-winning faculty who are dedicated to teaching and scholarly work.
Phagans’ Beauty College
Phagans’ Beauty College is a small private beauty college located in Corvallis, Oregon. It operates under the Phagans’ Cosmetology Colleges with locations throughout the state. The college offers instruction and training on cosmetology which includes courses related to business, creativity, and life skills to roughly 50 students. The college features a unique Academic Framework where students can see the training programs applicable to their field which are laid out in four levels of advanced courses and training in a hands-on learning environment. With 4 main programs namely Nail Technology, Hair Design, Barbering, and Esthetics, students may choose to apply for combined programs like Esthetics and Nail Technology, and Hair Design, Esthetics, and Nail Technology which can be finished within 6 to 12 months. The college is also a proud member of the American Association of Cosmetology Colleges and is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Throughout the program, students can provide services in the college’s student salon which serves as their practical laboratory where they can work with and receive feedback from actual clients. The college has very active community outreach programs such as Marathon Day, free or discounted haircuts, and fund-raising for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, among others. More details about the college’s program offerings can be seen at phagans-schools.com.
Northwest College School of Beauty – Tualatin
Northwest College School of Beauty is a beauty school producing spa and beauty salon professionals on several campuses across Oregon. Since its founding in 1976 as the Milwaukie Beauty School located in Clackamas, Oregon, the college provides comprehensive instruction and hands-on training on campuses in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Medford, Springfield, and Tualatin. Housing the administrative offices of the Northwest College School of Beauty system, the Tualatin campus has numerous classrooms, an open theory classroom/student library, two esthetics treatment rooms, and many stations for different salon services. The college offers certificate and degree programs in the following areas: Eyelash Extension, Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, Advanced Aesthetics, and Nail Technology, as well as a combination of Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics, and Nail Technology and Esthetics. Named as the 2014 Modern Salon Excellence in Education Cosmetology School, the college is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences. The college also partnered with the Oregon Food Bank to participate in annual food drives with the goal to help eliminate hunger in the state.
Multnomah University
Founded in 1936 as the Multnomah School of the Bible, Multnomah University (MU) is a private, non-denominational, Christian university headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The university aims to produce biblically competent, academically proficient, and culturally engaged students turned leaders who can impact the world through higher education. MU offers numerous certificates, undergraduate, graduate, online, seminary, and pre-professional programs to tailor the needs and interests of students. The university specializes in the fields of business, natural sciences, social sciences, theology, and law. With a diverse community of students wanting to have practical skills and wider connections, the college offers opportunities to students to work on and participate in community improvement projects through Day of Outreach and New Wine, New Wineskins. Different departments across the university also provide study abroad opportunities, whether short-term or semester-long. The university offers a lot of student services through teams on Student Success, Student Life, Career Services, Disability Resources, Inclusive Development, and the Student Counseling & Wellness as well as Financial Aid Department which provides financial aid to almost 96% of undergraduates. Request information about the programs and services at the school’s primary portal.
George Fox University
Recognized as the top Christian college within the state, George Fox University is the oldest private Christian university in the state headquartered in Newberg, Oregon. It was founded in 1891 as Pacific College, a school for Quakers. The university houses over 4,100 students across its campuses and centers in Portland, Redmond, and Salem. Offering more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, degree-completion, and seminary degree programs on all campuses, George Fox features Christ-centered higher education with a touch of personal attention, innovative research, and professional growth to produce spiritually and academically prepared students and future leaders. The programs offered by George Fox are in the fields of arts and sciences, business, Christian studies, communication & language, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and it is a proud member of numerous organizations such as the Christian College Consortium, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities. Students also have the option to apply for international programs in over 35 countries, to attend the three-week Juniors Abroad program, and to participate in the three-week ” SpILgrimages” where students can enrich their intercultural and international awareness. Visit georgefox.edu to know more details about the university’s programs and services.
Oregon State University
Known as the largest university in the state, Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon. With more than 32,000 students, the university has 2 campuses in Corvallis and Bend that house 11 colleges and offer extension programs in 36 counties within the state. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees that can be taken on-campus, online, or hybrid through colleges and schools in agricultural sciences, business, earth and ocean sciences, education, engineering, forestry, liberal arts, health sciences, and veterinary medicine. The university is ranked as the best research university in Oregon with campuses and centers across the state to provide high-quality education and extensive research opportunities to more individuals. The main research themes in OSU are Innovation and Prosperity, Health and Wellness, and Earth Ecosystems to fuel the creation of new products and services, the enhancement of the planet, and the improvement of human welfare. Beyond the classroom, OSU is involved in statewide public service programs such as participating and working with research in the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oregon Forest Research Laboratory.
Phagans School of Hair Design
The Phagans School of Hair Design is a beauty school based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to educating and producing future beauty professionals. With experience in providing education in the field of cosmetology for 60 years, the school is committed to providing a hands-on learning environment to students on all campuses across the state. With four main programs namely Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, and Nail Technology, the college offers a solid foundation in each field through the latest techniques and equipment used in the beauty industry. Students are qualified to apply for licensure in their respective fields upon graduation. As an accredited institution by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), the school provides different forms of financial aid to students who qualify. As part of the program, the school operates a student-staffed salon where students can perform professional treatments for the hair, nails, and skin in spa-like surroundings with the guidance of the school’s experienced faculty members. Read more details about the programs and opportunities within the school at the school’s website.
Bushnell University
Originally founded in 1895 as Eugene Divinity School, Bushnell University is a private, Christian liberal arts university located in Eugene, Oregon. The college, formerly called the Northwest Christian University, is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, strong Christian faith, and service to others to more than 800 undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of arts & sciences, business, management, education, and nursing. It is accredited by multiple institutions namely Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, and Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, among others. Throughout their stay in the university, students are well-equipped with access to academic resources like individual academic advising, IT assistance, online and in-person tutoring, online library resources, and personalized guidance from the university’s career development team. The university is also a proud member of prestigious organizations such as the Council of Christian College and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities. Inquire about the programs offered by Bushnell today.
Pacific University
Pacific University is a private research university headquartered in Forest Grove, Oregon that was founded in 1849 as Tualatin Academy. Recognized as the top research university in the Pacific Northwest, the university has several campuses around Oregon namely Hillsboro, Woodburn, and Eugene, as well as healthcare clinics and offices in the greater Portland area. The university offers several nationally recognized professional, undergraduate, and graduate programs across its colleges namely College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Professions, and College of Optometry. It serves nearly 3,900 students across all campuses with the goal to provide a rigorous academic experience that can help them achieve success and become active citizens and leaders. Pacific University consistently ranks as one of the top national universities in the country and in 2019, the university was awarded a silver ranking for sustainability by the national STARS program. Committed to providing a warm and inclusive environment for students, faculty, employees, and alumni, the university offers facilities and services that can make visitors comfortable and welcome via an array of libraries, athletic facilities, bookstores, B Street Farm, The Cawein Gallery, and Old College Hall Museum.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) is a consortium of 8 school districts situated in the Northeastern Region of Pennsylvania. It was originally opened in 1973 for high school students in the area to develop them into educated and successful citizens in a productive society. CTCLC provides instruction and training in 17 programs across four different areas: construction, mathematics, service, technology, and transportation. These include Carpentry, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Welding Technology, Math Program, Child Development, Health Occupations Technology, Graphic and Printing Communications, Digital Communications, Automotive Technology, and Collision Repair. The school also offers a School Counseling Program to help students meet their academic, personal, social, and professional development needs. In addition, students who want to enter the school are guided by the Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR) program to help them understand and navigate the process of going to college in Pennsylvania. See the complete details of each program at ctclc.edu.
Corban University
Corban University is a private Christian university that serves more than 1,200 students on its main campus in Salem, Oregon. The university traces its history to a small Bible institute in Phoenix, Arizona that was founded in 1935. It aims to equip individuals with Christ-centered education to bring character and competence to their own careers and communities. Ranked as one of the best universities in the West, Corban is recognized as a College of Distinction that supports engaged students with great teaching, a welcoming community, and successful careers. The university provides over 50 on-campus and online undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs in the fields of counseling, business, education, and ministry. The university also awards distinctions and degrees to more than 2,700 students worldwide through partnerships with the Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia, the Africa Training Partnership in Cameroon, and the Institute for Biblical Languages & Translation in Israel. Corban is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. To help students achieve success during their stay in the university, Corban offers a Career Center online platform called Handshake Job Board where students and alumni can search for career opportunities and communicate with more than 7,000 employers around the world. Access the entire overview of the university’s programs, services, and activities via the school’s website.
Additional College Research
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