Best Value Sociology Colleges in Oregon

Portland State University delivers Oregon's most affordable sociology education at just $12,932 net cost, while University of Portland graduates command the highest earnings at $36,134 annually. The $27,219 gap between cheapest and most expensive programs reflects stark differences in value propositions across Oregon's 13 sociology programs. Oregon's expanding healthcare sector and social services industry create strong demand for sociology graduates, particularly in Portland's metro area where major employers like Kaiser Permanente and state agencies actively recruit social science majors. Public universities dominate the value market, with four of the top five most affordable options being state institutions.

Programs

$12,932 – $39,951

Net Price Range

$29,419

Avg. Program Earnings

64.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Portland State University Portland, Oregon	$12,932	$30,707	$11,238	53.1%	93.1%
2	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$34,908	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
3	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$34,908	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
4	University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon	$21,782	$33,113	$15,669	71.5%	86.3%
5	Southern Oregon University Ashland, Oregon	$16,470	$24,035	$12,093	44.2%	88.0%
6	Willamette University Salem, Oregon	$23,663	$24,267	$48,268	72.7%	80.6%
7	University of Portland Portland, Oregon	$36,371	$36,134	$54,900	80.4%	92.5%
8	Linfield University McMinnville, Oregon	$27,341	$25,194	$49,530	65.2%	88.7%
9	Lewis & Clark College Portland, Oregon	$36,084	$21,508	$62,350	71.2%	68.6%
10	George Fox University Newberg, Oregon	$29,981		$40,940	68.7%	91.7%
11	Pacific University Forest Grove, Oregon	$35,350		$54,466	64.8%	92.3%
12	Reed College Portland, Oregon	$39,951		$67,020	75.9%	30.8%
13	Western Oregon University Monmouth, Oregon	$18,290		$11,025	44.8%	83.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Portland State University the best value for sociology in Oregon?

Portland State charges just $12,932 net cost while producing graduates who earn $30,707 annually, creating a strong return on investment. The 93.09% acceptance rate makes it accessible to most students, and its Portland location provides direct access to internships with state agencies and nonprofit organizations.

How do public and private sociology programs compare in Oregon?

Public universities average around $17,000 in net costs compared to $32,000 for private institutions. However, earnings vary significantly within each sector, with University of Portland graduates earning $36,134 while Reed College graduates earn just $21,508 despite paying $39,951 net cost.

Does Oregon State University offer better value than University of Oregon for sociology?

Oregon State's main Corvallis campus costs $19,568 compared to University of Oregon's $21,782, while both produce similar graduate earnings around $34,000. Oregon State also maintains a higher graduation rate at 70.60% versus University of Oregon's 71.50%.

Where do Oregon sociology graduates find the best job opportunities?

Portland's metro area offers the strongest job market with state government positions, healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente, and nonprofit organizations. Oregon's growing tech sector also increasingly values sociology graduates for user research and organizational development roles at companies like Intel and Nike.

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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.