Best Value History Colleges in Oregon

Portland State University delivers Oregon's most affordable History degree at just $12,932 net cost, making quality education accessible in a state where private options can exceed $39,000 annually. The earnings picture tells a compelling story across Oregon's 18 History programs, with graduates earning between $22,192 and $32,925 depending on their institution. Oregon State University stands out by offering the highest earning potential at $32,925 while maintaining reasonable costs at both its Corvallis and Bend campuses. History majors find strong career prospects in Oregon's growing sectors, particularly in Portland's expanding tech industry where companies like Intel value analytical and communication skills that History programs develop. The state's public universities consistently outperform private institutions in return on investment, with graduation rates ranging from 44% to over 80% across different price points.

Programs

$12,932 – $39,951

Net Price Range

$26,694

Avg. Program Earnings

62.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 History Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Portland State University Portland, Oregon	$12,932	$24,035	$11,238	53.1%	93.1%
2	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$32,925	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
3	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$32,925	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
4	University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon	$21,782	$27,440	$15,669	71.5%	86.3%
5	Willamette University Salem, Oregon	$23,663	$22,192	$48,268	72.7%	80.6%
6	University of Portland Portland, Oregon	$36,371	$25,194	$54,900	80.4%	92.5%
7	Pacific University Forest Grove, Oregon	$35,350	$24,421	$54,466	64.8%	92.3%
8	Lewis & Clark College Portland, Oregon	$36,084	$24,421	$62,350	71.2%	68.6%
9	Linfield University McMinnville, Oregon	$27,341		$49,530	65.2%	88.7%
10	Multnomah University Portland, Oregon	$23,866		$30,310	50.8%	53.4%
11	Bushnell University Eugene, Oregon	$23,520		$34,740	61.8%	66.9%
12	George Fox University Newberg, Oregon	$29,981		$40,940	68.7%	91.7%
13	Reed College Portland, Oregon	$39,951		$67,020	75.9%	30.8%
14	Southern Oregon University Ashland, Oregon	$16,470		$12,093	44.2%	88.0%
15	Warner Pacific University Portland, Oregon	$18,818		$21,010	82.1%	72.3%
16	Corban University Salem, Oregon	$25,525		$37,208	61.0%	34.8%
17	Western Oregon University Monmouth, Oregon	$18,290		$11,025	44.8%	83.4%
18	Eastern Oregon University La Grande, Oregon	$15,987		$10,671	36.6%	98.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Portland State University such a strong value for History majors?

Portland State offers Oregon's lowest net cost at $12,932 while maintaining a 93% acceptance rate and competitive graduate earnings of $24,035. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $24,423, significantly below many private alternatives. The university's location in Portland provides access to museums, archives, and cultural institutions that support History education and internship opportunities.

How do Oregon's public and private History programs compare in terms of value?

Public universities dominate Oregon's best value rankings, with all top four spots held by state institutions charging between $12,932 and $21,782 net cost. Private schools like Willamette University charge $23,663 but produce lower graduate earnings at $22,192. The earnings gap between top public programs like Oregon State ($32,925) and private options can exceed $10,000 annually.

Does school location affect job prospects for History graduates in Oregon?

Portland-area programs offer advantages through proximity to major employers, museums, and government agencies, though earnings vary significantly by institution. Oregon State's Bend campus produces the state's highest-earning History graduates at $32,925 despite its smaller size and 51% graduation rate. Rural programs like Southern Oregon University in Ashland offer lower costs at $16,470 but face more limited local career opportunities.

What graduation rates can History students expect across Oregon programs?

Graduation rates span from 44% at Southern Oregon University to 82% at Warner Pacific University, with most programs falling between 50-75%. Oregon State University achieves a strong 71% rate while maintaining relatively low costs. Private institutions generally show higher completion rates, with Reed College leading at 76%, though this comes with significantly higher costs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.