At $21,782/yr net price, University of Oregon graduates earn $61,324/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,324/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,782 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,128 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,324/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,324/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,139 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,975/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,844/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,030/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,789/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,475/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $117,572 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $89,230 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $86,621 | $78,528 |
| Economics. | Doctoral | $84,653 | |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $83,177 | |
| Physics. | Master | $75,832 | |
| Chemistry. | Master | $72,231 | |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Master | $71,486 | $29,606 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $62,012 | $62,486 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $61,681 | $23,711 |
The Risk Factor
71.5% of students at University of Oregon graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Oregon gives you a moderate financial return. You leave with about $20,000 in debt against median earnings that clear $61,000 a decade out, so the debt-to-income math works in your favor. A 71.5% graduation rate and nearly 85% first-year retention mean most people who enroll actually finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the price pays off.
Your major decides a lot here. Computer and Information Sciences is the clear winner, with graduates out-earning every other listed program while carrying the highest debt load among them, so it still nets out ahead. Accounting is the safer play: solid pay paired with the lowest debt of any top program. Architecture and environment Architecture sit at the bottom for earnings, and the four to five years those degrees demand make the lower payoff harder to justify. General Business lands mid-pack and is a crowded field regionally.
The main risk is geography. Eugene is not a major tech or corporate hub, so the top-earning computer science path may require moving to Portland, Seattle, or the Bay Area to hit its full value. If you plan to stay local, temper the salary expectations for business and design fields.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $17,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-to-$110,000 range and your price jumps to nearly $26,000, close to the sticker for families above $110,000. That middle-income cliff is steep, so run your own aid numbers before committing.
This school fits you if you land in a technical or accounting track and qualify for aid at the lower income tiers. If you are a middle-income family aiming at architecture or general business, weigh a cheaper in-state option first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Oregon worth the cost for most students?
University of Oregon delivers mixed value with graduates earning $61,324 after 10 years against a net price of $21,782 annually. The school's 71% graduation rate and relatively low median debt of $20,139 help, but earnings lag behind many peer institutions.
What are the best paying majors at University of Oregon?
Management Information Systems leads University of Oregon's earnings at $117,572, followed by Educational Administration at $89,230 and Business Administration at $86,621. These programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings average.
How much debt do University of Oregon graduates typically have?
University of Oregon graduates carry a median debt of $20,139, which is manageable compared to national averages. With average starting salaries around $61,324, most graduates can handle this debt load without major financial strain.
Does University of Oregon provide good financial aid?
University of Oregon's net price of $21,782 represents decent aid for a public university, especially for Oregon residents. However, out-of-state students face much higher costs that may not justify the eventual earnings for most majors.