2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon
When pursuing a degree in today's world, veterans have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking is part of that endeavor.
After analyzing 25 schools in Oregon, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for veterans. Our ranking methodology focuses on over 20 different objective factors - such as percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, number of GI Bill® recipients at the school, and overall quality - to make this determination.
Get more details on our ranking methodology.
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Since one ranking on its own is not enough to give you a complete understanding of your educational options, you can refine this list by location and field of study. We've also developed a number of other tools and rankings based on other factors. These other rankings highlight colleges that excel in other factors such as value or diversity as well as schools that excel in serving different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Oregon
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named Oregon State University the best school in Oregon for veterans working on their bachelor’s degree. Corvallis, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7,547 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 1,493 of the 32,312 students enrolled at Oregon State were GI Bill® students, of which 930 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,431. On top of their other funding sources, 22 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Oregon State does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Oregon State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in Oregon list.
Out of the 25 schools in Oregon that were part of this year’s ranking, Portland State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Portland State University is a large public school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 6,543 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 23,640 students enrolled at Portland State University, 1,179 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 767 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,347. To help with additional expenses, 96 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Oregon Institute of Technology helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Oregon. Oregon Institute of Technology is a medium-sized public school located in Klamath Falls, Oregon that handed out 750 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 5,323 students enrolled at OIT, 173 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 92 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,760. OIT does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, OIT is ranked #4 for overall quality in Oregon.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend George Fox University. The school came in at #4 in Oregon on this year’s best for vets ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Newberg, Oregon, and it awarded 1,272 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 4,106 students enrolled at GFU, 152 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 99 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,312. On top of their other funding sources, 27 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Oregon University. It ranked #5 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. EOU is a public institution located in La Grande, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 697 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 174 of the 2,853 students enrolled at EOU were GI Bill® students, of which 93 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,328. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
University of Oregon ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. UO is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 6,191 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 588 of the 21,752 students enrolled at UO were GI Bill® students, of which 309 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,714. During this same period, 12 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. UO does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. UO excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Oregon list.
Pacific University landed the #8 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Forest Grove, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,220 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 143 of the 3,808 students enrolled at Pacific were GI Bill® students, of which 89 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $19,476. During this same period, 48 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Pacific does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Pacific also took the #2 spot in our Best Schools in Oregon rankings.
Willamette University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Salem, Oregon, and it awarded 651 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 1,866 students enrolled at Willamette, 45 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 24 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $18,502. In addition to receiving other benefits, 15 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Willamette also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Oregon ranking.
Western Oregon University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Western Oregon State College is a public institution located in Monmouth, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,452 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 183 of the 4,554 students enrolled at Western Oregon State College were GI Bill® students, of which 97 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,826. Western Oregon State College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #11, Bushnell University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. Located in Eugene, Oregon, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 206 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Bushnell University supports 717 students, and 61 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 39 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,343. To help with additional expenses, 5 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
University of Portland ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. University of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,185 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 100 of the 3,999 students enrolled at University of Portland were GI Bill® students, of which 90 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $20,169. In addition to receiving other benefits, 49 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. University of Portland not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Schools in Oregon list.
Chemeketa Community College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking, coming in at #13. Chemeketa Community College is a public institution located in Salem, Oregon. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,558 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 8,328 students enrolled at Chemeketa Community College, 350 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 211 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,701. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Southern Oregon University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Ashland, Oregon, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,137 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 257 of the 5,140 students enrolled at Southern Oregon University were GI Bill® students, of which 114 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,619.
Clackamas Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Clackamas Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oregon City, Oregon. It awarded 685 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 5,555 students enrolled at Clackamas Community College, 283 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 227 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,234. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Multnomah University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Multnomah University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 210 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Multnomah University supports 623 students, and 29 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 21 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,259. In addition to receiving other benefits, 6 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #17, Blue Mountain Community College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. This small public school is located in Pendleton, Oregon, and it awarded 326 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 81 of the 1,292 students enrolled at BMCC were GI Bill® students, of which 49 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,610. BMCC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Umpqua Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. This small public school is located in Roseburg, Oregon, and it awarded 275 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Umpqua Community College supports 2,140 students, and 151 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 70 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,538. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Mt. Hood Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. This medium-sized public school is located in Gresham, Oregon, and it awarded 1,436 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 6,812 students enrolled at MHCC, 275 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 182 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,471. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Corban University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking, coming in at #20. Salem, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 317 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 44 of the 1,160 students enrolled at Corban were GI Bill® students, of which 35 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,090. During this same period, 10 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Linfield University - McMinnville Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. Linfield University - McMinnville Campus is a small private not-for-profit school located in McMinnville, Oregon that handed out 305 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 1,392 students enrolled at Linfield, 46 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 33 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,809. On top of their other funding sources, 10 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Linfield not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Oregon list.
With a ranking of #22, Warner Pacific University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon list. Warner Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 63 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Warner Pacific supports 466 students, and 66 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 43 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,694. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Lewis & Clark College landed the #23 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Lewis and Clark College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 886 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 3,157 students enrolled at Lewis and Clark College, 42 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $19,889. During this same period, 16 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Lewis and Clark College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Oregon.
Reed College landed the #24 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 313 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Reed supports 1,385 students, and 14 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 11 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $20,061. To help with additional expenses, 12 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Pacific Northwest College of Art did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Oregon ranking, coming in at #25. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 148 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Pacific Northwest College of Art supports 569 students, and 28 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 17 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,321. During this same period, 8 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Best Colleges for Veterans in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- 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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
- Removed schools reflect instances of new data identified post-publication that warrant removal of a school from this year’s ranking.
More about our data sources and methodologies.