2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Clackamas Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Oregon. Located in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $14,265. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Clackamas Community College earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn Benton Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, compared with $16,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,959 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Linn Benton Community College generally make around $43,257. That is a strong return on a $17,959 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Portland State University one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,612 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,849. Set against $31,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oregon Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $22,118. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Oregon Institute Of Technology generally make around $68,871. That is a strong return on a $22,118 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Oregon State University one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,791 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $73,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Oregon placed #6 among the best values for engineering. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $91,890. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
George Fox University placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $52,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Portland came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $74,211. Set against $22,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Portland admits about 89% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
