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Cheapest Biology Colleges in Oregon

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Oregon's biology programs show a dramatic cost divide, with Portland State University offering the most affordable option at $12,932 net price while private institutions like George Fox University reach $29,981. The state's 19 biology programs serve a region where healthcare and biotechnology employers like Intel and Nike create steady demand for life science graduates. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with five schools under $17,000 net cost. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates earn the highest median salary at $31,983, nearly $7,000 more than Southern Oregon University graduates at $25,967. The Oregon Opportunity Grant helps bridge funding gaps for qualifying students, making these programs more accessible across income levels. Eastern Oregon University accepts 98.52% of applicants, offering the most open admissions among biology programs statewide.
19
Programs
$12,932 – $39,951
Net Price Range
$28,344
Avg. Program Earnings
62.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
2 $15,987 $10,671 36.6% 98.5%
3 $16,391 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
4 $16,470 $12,093 44.2% 88.0%
5 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
6 $18,290 $11,025 44.8% 83.4%
7 $18,818 $21,010 82.1% 72.3%
8 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
9 $21,782 $15,669 71.5% 86.3%
10 $23,520 $34,740 61.8% 66.9%
11 $23,663 $48,268 72.7% 80.6%
12 $23,866 $30,310 50.8% 53.4%
13 $25,525 $37,208 61.0% 34.8%
14 $27,341 $49,530 65.2% 88.7%
15 $29,981 $40,940 68.7% 91.7%
16 $35,350 $54,466 64.8% 92.3%
17 $36,084 $62,350 71.2% 68.6%
18 $36,371 $54,900 80.4% 92.5%
19 $39,951 $67,020 75.9% 30.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Portland State University the cheapest biology program in Oregon?

Portland State University charges just $12,932 net price for biology students, nearly $3,000 less than the second-cheapest option at Eastern Oregon University. The school benefits from its urban location in Portland, where students can access internships and research opportunities while keeping costs low. With a 93.09% acceptance rate and $11,238 in-state tuition, PSU provides an accessible entry point into biological sciences. Graduates earn a median salary of $27,947, placing them in the middle range among Oregon biology programs.

How do public and private biology programs compare in cost?

Public universities dominate Oregon's affordable biology options, with all schools under $20,000 net cost being state institutions. The cheapest private option, Warner Pacific University, costs $18,818 compared to Portland State's $12,932 public rate. Private schools like George Fox University and Linfield University charge over $27,000 net price, more than double the cost of most public alternatives. However, private institutions often show higher graduation rates, with Warner Pacific achieving 82.1% compared to the public average of around 50-60%.

Where do Oregon biology graduates earn the most after college?

Oregon State University campuses lead in graduate earnings, with both the main Corvallis campus and Cascades Campus graduates earning $31,983 annually. Western Oregon University follows closely at $31,314, while University of Oregon graduates earn the same amount. The lowest earnings come from Southern Oregon University graduates at $25,967, creating a $6,000 gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs. These salary differences often reflect regional job markets and the specific focus areas within each biology program.

Is Warner Pacific University worth considering for biology students?

Warner Pacific University stands out with an strong 82.1% graduation rate, the highest among all Oregon biology programs listed. At $18,818 net price, it costs only slightly more than many public options while maintaining a more selective 72.25% acceptance rate. The private Christian university offers smaller class sizes and personalized attention that contributes to its high completion rates. However, specific earnings data for Warner Pacific biology graduates isn't available, making it harder to assess long-term return on investment compared to public alternatives.

More Biology, General Rankings

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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.