by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Oregon? Our ranking highlights 29 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 29 schools in Oregon to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Explore the best values below:
Mt Hood Community College tops our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money in Oregon. Based in Gresham, OR, Mt Hood Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Mt Hood Community College students take on a median of $18,767 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,125. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 29 schools in Oregon in this year's value ranking, Lane Community College landed the #2 spot. Located in Eugene, OR, Lane Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,202, with out-of-state students paying around $13,078. Graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Clackamas Community College one of the best values in Oregon. Based in Oregon City, OR, Clackamas Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, compared with $14,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete their program here. Clackamas Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,886 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chemeketa Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Oregon. Set in Salem, OR, Chemeketa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $15,755. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 29 schools in Oregon in this year's value ranking, Treasure Valley Community College landed the #5 spot. Based in Ontario, OR, Treasure Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $6,795. The median program debt is $24,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,738. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt.
Tillamook Bay Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Tillamook, OR, Tillamook Bay Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,896, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616.
Portland Community College landed the #7 spot for value in Oregon this year. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,592. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Klamath Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Klamath Falls, OR, Klamath Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,965, while out-of-state students pay about $8,025. Graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. Klamath Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,357 a decade after entry. Set against $14,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Oregon Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Coos Bay, OR, Southwestern Oregon Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,192. The median program debt is $13,609. Median earnings reach $38,349 ten years out. Set against $13,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rogue Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Grants Pass, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Rogue Community College students take on a median of $15,248 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,845 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,248 median debt.
Umpqua Community College landed the #11 spot for value in Oregon this year. Based in Roseburg, OR, Umpqua Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,104. Graduates carry a median of $13,058 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,676. That is a strong return on a $13,058 median debt.
Columbia Gorge Community College placed #12 among the best values in Oregon. Based in The Dalles, OR, Columbia Gorge Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Columbia Gorge Community College students take on a median of $17,416 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,440 ten years out. Set against $17,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Oregon Community College placed #13 among the best values in Oregon. Central Oregon Community College is a public school based in Bend, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,683, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Central Oregon Community College students take on a median of $16,250 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn Benton Community College landed the #14 spot for value in Oregon this year. Set in Albany, OR, Linn Benton Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,317, while out-of-state students pay about $16,736. Typical student debt is $17,959. Linn Benton Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,363 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Blue Mountain Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Pendleton, OR, Blue Mountain Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,076, with out-of-state students paying around $9,754. The median program debt is $20,615. Blue Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,375 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for value in Oregon this year. Set in Klamath Falls, OR, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,196 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,551 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,273. That is a strong return on a $27,551 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted.
Eastern Oregon University placed #18 among the best values in Oregon. This public school is set in La Grande, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,184, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Graduates carry a median of $27,765 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,112 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Oregon University has an acceptance rate of 98%.
Southern Oregon University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Ashland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Southern Oregon University students take on a median of $24,951 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Oregon University has an acceptance rate of 89%.
Oregon State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%.
Clatsop Community College landed the #21 spot for value in Oregon this year. Set in Astoria, OR, Clatsop Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $9,610. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,477 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Western Oregon University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Western Oregon University is a public school based in Monmouth, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,166 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,815 ten years after entry. Set against $24,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Phagans Beauty College landed the #23 spot for value in Oregon this year. Phagans Beauty College is a private for-profit school based in Corvallis, OR. Students borrow a median of $11,924 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,102. That is a strong return on a $11,924 median debt.
Warner Pacific College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Portland, OR, Warner Pacific College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,220. Typical student debt is $41,254. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,204 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Phagans School Of Beauty placed #25 among the best values in Oregon. Set in Salem, OR, Phagans School Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,969 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,393 ten years after entry. Set against $11,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 29 schools evaluated. References
See our data sources and methodologies.