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Inside the Best Online Colleges in Oregon

Inside the Best Online Colleges in Oregon

Discover how to earn your undergrad or grad degree from one of the best online colleges in Oregon. This guide can help you find the right online program for you.

For many people, online learning makes college possible. The right online program is flexible, affordable, and supports each student through their academic journey. In Oregon, most of its 20 public universities and community colleges offer a variety of online degrees and certificates at multiple degree levels. Oregon State University, for example, has over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree options in more than a dozen subjects available fully- or partially-online.

Yet finding the right online program isn’t always easy. Which schools offer the degree you need? Which ones have tuition and fees that fit your budget? And what about accreditation? Learn how online college in Oregon works for students, and see which colleges and universities stand out in the state.

Ranking the Top Online Colleges in Oregon for 2024

The best online colleges in Oregon provide the highest level of student support to help you reach your academic and career goals. They also have a variety of online degree options, affordable tuition rates, and generous financial aid opportunities. Check out which online colleges in Oregon stand above the rest in our 2024 rankings.

    or

    Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings

    1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs

    To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

    • Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
    • At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
    1. Assign Weightings

    After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.

    Online Program Availability

    • Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
    • For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.

    Affordability

    • Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
    • Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.

    Support Services

    • Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
    • Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.

    About Our Data

    OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024

  • Corvallis, Oregon
    Public $$

    Oregon State University’s Ecampus combines 150+ years of institutional excellence with modern technology and innovation to deliver more than 100 programs and over 1,750 classes online or in a hybrid format. OSU is known for its award-winning research and dedication to keeping quality education affordable by working with the Open Educational Resources Unit to create no-cost and low-cost course materials. OSU works on a quarter-credit rather than a semester credit system. Courses delivered in an online format are asynchronous, but may require students to take proctored exams and visit local libraries to find certain resources. Additionally, distance learning classes are offered in two different hybrid formats — online with in-person learning, and remote with online learning.

    Program Highlights:

    B.S. in Crop and Soil Science

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $346/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    B.A. in Contemporary Music Industry

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $346/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Master of Natural Resources

    • Credits: 45 quarter credits
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $560/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU
  • La Grande, Oregon
    Public $$

    Eastern Oregon University Online offers many online course and degree options through the Canvas learning management platform. EOU is on a quarter credit system, and they work with students so they can transfer up to the equivalent of 135 quarter credits toward a bachelor’s degree and 15 quarter credits toward a master’s degree. Students can choose from multiple start dates throughout the year, and they have access to online resources like the IT Help Desk and their own personal admissions team that’s made up of enrollment counselors, a transcript team, tuition planners and academic advisors.

    Program Highlights:

    B.S./B.A. in Economics

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 yeas
    • Cost: $278/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    B.S./B.A. in Health & Human Performance – Nature and Outdoor Recreation Programming Concentration

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $278/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Master of Public Administration

    • Credits: 60 quarter credits
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $510.50/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU
  • Portland, Oregon
    Public $$

    Portland State University offers a full range of undergraduate degree programs online from Arts & Letters to Criminology & Criminal Justice. There are also several graduate degrees available in an online or hybrid learning format. Regardless of the online program you choose, they are all designed to combine the convenience of distance education with the fulfillment that comes from building relationships with talented faculty and classmates. Online students will not be alone, and they’ll be able to depend on their online classes unfolding the same way as PSU’s classroom-based courses, with internal milestones, benchmarks and course syllabi that’ll help them move forward step by step.

    Program Highlights:

    B.A./B.S. in Arts and Letters

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $181-$496/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    B.A./B.S. in Philosophy

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $181-$496/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Master of Taxation

    • Credits: 45
    • Length: 12-24 months
    • Cost: $629-$658/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU
  • Eugene, Oregon
    Public $$$

    The University of Oregon offers four master’s degrees entirely online: immersive media communication, sports product management, psychology, and applied behavior analysis. Though no undergraduate programs can be completed online, the Office of the Provost, in partnership with Information Services and UO schools and colleges, is currently creating an institutional-level infrastructure to support online courses and programs across the university and to identify future courses and programs. UO Online delivers its courses through the Canvas learning management platform, and thye make student-resources that students can find on-campus available to the online learners as well. These include services like technical assistance, the UO Duck Store, the UO Library, and the online testing and proctoring center.

    Program Highlights:

    Master’s in Immersive Media Communication

    • Credits: 46 quarter credits
    • Length: 1+ year
    • Cost: $593/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Master’s in Sports Product Management

    • Credits: 65 quarter credits
    • Length: 21+ months
    • Cost: $674/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Master’s in Psychology

    • Credits: 49 quarter credits
    • Length: 18+ months
    • Cost: $569/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU
  • Eugene, Oregon
    Private not-for-profit $$$

    New Hope Christian College partners with Southeastern University, a Christ-centered institution of higher learning based in Lakeland, Florida, to bring students 6 different online degree programs. Each program is built with bible-based insights and faith-based academics and leadership in mind. Both NHCC and SEU want students to learn outside of the virtual classroom as well, and online students can expect to take part in a local, on-site experiential learning practicum. SEU partners with Handshake to helps students find internships, land their first job, and get career advice before and after graduation.

    Program Highlights:

    B.S. in Digital Media & Design: Digital Design

    • Credits: 120
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $400/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

    B.S. in Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry

    • Credits: 124
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $400/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: SACSCOC

    B.S. in Business & Professional Leadership

    • Credits: 122
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $400/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: SACSCOC
  • Klamath Falls, Oregon
    Public $$

    Oregon Institute of Technology offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate online degree and certificate programs for both freshmen and transfer students. Those who transfer into a program can take advantage of Oregon Tech’s generous transfer policy. Depending on a student’s future goals and prior background, there are online programs for masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, and bachelor degree completion. The traditional degree programs are open to any student who meets the general university admission requirements. On the other hand, the degree completion programs require students to have already passed a national board examination, earned a national registry, or to have met other program admission requirements.

    Program Highlights:

    Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

    • Credits: 59 credit hours
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: Varies
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics

    • Credits: 182 credit hours
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: Varies
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Sleep Health Associate of Applied Science

    • Credits: 91
    • Length: Varies
    • Cost: Varies
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU
  • Ashland, Oregon
    Public $$

    Southern Oregon University offers seven different online bachelor’s degrees and three different online master’s degrees, with courses being offered in an online, hybrid, or two-way video format. Though online courses offer flexibility, you won’t be able to set your own pace for your studies. Online courses will have start and end dates, and instructors set specific deadlines for all coursework. You can access all of your course content, participate in discussions, and submit assignments online through the the schools learning management system, Moodle. Once you are admitted you will activate your Inside SOU network account which will provide you with access to certain resources including the campus directory, your course schedule, access to Moodle, SISWeb (register for courses, pay tuition, see grades, etc.), and your school email.

    Program Highlights:

    B.S. in Innovation and Leadership

    • Credits: 68 quarter credits
    • Length: 21 months
    • Cost: $284-$389/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    Bachelor of Applied Science in Management

    • Credits: 180 quarter credits
    • Length: 4 years
    • Cost: $284-$389/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    MSEd with a Concentration in Curriculum and Instruction in STEM Education

    • Credits: 45 quarter credits
    • Length: 16+ months
    • Cost: $369/quarter credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: NWCCU

    or

    Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings

    1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs

    To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

    • Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
    • At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
    1. Assign Weightings

    After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.

    Online Program Availability

    • Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
    • For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.

    Affordability

    • Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
    • Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.

    Support Services

    • Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
    • Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.

    About Our Data

    OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024

  • Coos Bay, Oregon
    Public $

    Southwestern Oregon Community College, located on the scenic southern Oregon coast, is the No. 1 job training organization in the region. SOCC specializes in two-year and transfer degree programs. You also have access to a range of specialized professional training, short-term certificates, and community enrichment classes, which can prepare you for a skilled entry-level role. Courses are offered in a wide spectrum of academic disciplines including health and public safety, business and culinary, social sciences and education, STEM, advanced technologies, and more. With a low tuition rate and flexible scheduling options, SOCC provides an accessible path to education for students from many backgrounds.

    Program Highlights:

    Marketing, Career Pathway Certificate of Completion

    • Credits: 29
    • Length: 3 semesters
    • Cost: $99/credit
    • Mode: Varies
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Associate of Science, Chemistry

    • Credits: 95
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $99/credit
    • Mode: Varies
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Associate of Science, Criminal Justice

    • Credits: 99
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $99/credit
    • Mode: Varies
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Klamath Falls, Oregon
    Public $

    Klamath Community College provides an accessible, quality education for students and seeks to support the diverse needs of local students, businesses, and the community. Through workforce training, academic transfer programs, community education resources, and more, you’ll find a wide range of options to choose from to further your education. An assortment of online distance education options gives students flexible choices for a degree or certificate. Some of the concentrations offered include business and technology, human resources, transportation, engineering and agriculture, and science. While the degree programs aren’t exclusively online, several courses are offered online for different degree programs, enabling you to complete some of your studies online. /p>

    Program Highlights:

    Associate of Applied Science, Accounting

    • Credits: 95
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $111.00/credit
    • Mode: Varies
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Associate of Applied Science, Nursing

    • Credits: 90
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $111.00/credit
    • Mode: Varies
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Welding Certificate

    • Credits: 51
    • Length: 4 semesters
    • Cost: $111.00/credit
    • Mode: On campus
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

  • Roseburg, Oregon
    Public $

    Umpqua Community College offers several 100% online certificate and degree programs that give you an affordable and flexible option to pursue your education. Some of the academic concentrations include business, computer science, legal, engineering, medical, and university transfer degrees. With online coursework, you can study at your own pace, around your unique schedule, and from a location of your choice. The wide range of coursework can prepare you for a skilled entry-level job in an industrial trade or prepare you to transfer to a degree program at a four-year university. UCC also offers apprenticeship programs to provide on-the-job training for industrial and electrical roles.

    Program Highlights:

    Associate of Science, Business Administration

    • Credits: 91
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $109/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Associate of Applied Science, Computer Information Systems

    • Credits: 90
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $109/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

    Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies

    • Credits: 90
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $109/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Gresham, Oregon
    Public $

    Mt. Hood Community College offers over 120 professional and technical programs along with a variety of university transfer options. MHCC has three campuses across Oregon and offers online coursework as well. The student body of the school represents the diverse community it serves, and the college seeks to provide accessible education to students from all backgrounds and with diverse needs. MHCC fully online degrees include Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, which are designed to transfer to a four-year university. You can also choose from trade apprenticeship programs to gain hands-on skills and career pathways certificates to gain education on a shorter timeline.

    Program Highlights:

    Associate of Science

    • Credits: 90 credits
    • Length: 2 years
    • Cost: $243/credit
    • Mode: Online
    • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Each online degree program comes with a unique combination of curriculum formats and study modes. To help you find a program that best matches how, when, and where you learn – a combination essential to your academic success – here’s a look at the most common program formats you’ll encounter in your search for an online college in Oregon along with examples of degree programs for each one.

Fully Online or Hybrid/Blended?

Programs described as fully online, entirely online, or 100% online usually deliver all course content (e.g., lectures, assignments, exams, communication, etc.) online. Some programs also have in-person components like labs, seminars, and introductory meetings. Fully-online programs sometimes include experiential learning activities, such as clinical rotations for nursing degrees and classroom observations for teaching degrees, requiring in-person participation.

Partially-online programs combine online and in-person components and are sometimes labeled as hybrid or blended. Hybrid programs are typically those where online instruction either fully or partially replaces face-to-face class sessions, while blended programs mix traditional on-campus classes with supplemental online components (e.g., assignments, tests, readings, etc.). 

Below are examples of online Oregon degree programs featuring fully online and partially-online formats.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Eastern Oregon University (Blended/Hybrid) 

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program at Eastern Oregon University prepares students for careers in fiction and non-fiction writing and editing as well as secondary and postsecondary education, journalism, and more. It combines online courses (e.g., literature, film rhetoric, special topics in writing, etc.) with two-week, in-person summer residencies where students concentrate on their chosen genre and engage in a wilderness, ecology, and community-focused curriculum. The program also features an optional young adult writing emphasis. It culminates with a thesis (i.e., a book-length original work in the student’s chosen genre) and presentation of a craft lecture and public reading at the final summer residency. 

Both full-time and part-time study are available, and most students complete the program in two to three years. Students may continue with their studies to complete a second thesis in another genre. Tuition for this 60-credit hour program is $510.50/credit.

Bachelor’s in Project Management at Linfield University (Fully-Online)

The Bachelor’s in Project Management through Linfield University’s Online and Continuing Education department prepares graduates to take on management responsibilities for discrete projects in high-demand fields like healthcare, construction, education, information technology, and more. Students complete 51 credits of prerequisite and major-specific coursework, all delivered 100% online in an asynchronous format. Students must also complete 74 general education and electives credits to meet the 125 total credits needed for the degree. These credits may be earned through Linfield or transferred from an approved school. Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are available.

Linfield’s Project Management Bachelor’s program is a surprisingly, especially given that Linfield is a private university, affordable $495/credit. Program starts are available in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Asynchronous or Synchronous: Which Is for You?

Course content is also either asynchronous or synchronous. Asynchronous content is accessible anytime. Synchronous programs include content, such as live-streamed class sessions, that requires attendance at specific dates and times. Programs with all or most of their content delivered asynchronously are a great choice for students with busy work and/or life schedules that prevent them from attending their studies at strictly-scheduled times. Synchronous programs, on the other hand, offer students with more flexible schedules the advantage of real-time interaction with instructors and fellow students. Below are examples of current Oregon online programs with asynchronous and synchronous formats.

Bachelor of Health Care Administration at Warner-Pacific University (Asynchronous)

Private, Christian-affiliated Warner-Pacific University offers a Bachelor of Health Care Administration (BHA) degree that prepares graduates to employ ethical decision-making practices in management and leadership positions within healthcare organizations. The curriculum can be completed in two years and consists of 51 semester credits (17 courses). Course topics include organization and delivery management, budgeting, finance, qualitative analysis, public policy and law, and alternative healthcare. The program is entirely online in an asynchronous format. Students are, however, expected to log in approximately five days a week to access class lectures and other course materials and to participate in class forums.

Admission requirements include 48 to 60 college credits earned at regionally-accredited colleges and universities, through ACE evaluations or CLEP exams, or awarded for job training or military experience. A minimum of two years of full-time work experience is also required. Tuition is $9,640 per semester for full-time students and $800 per credit for part-time students.

Master of Business Administration at Pacific University (Synchronous)

Designed for working professionals, the Master of Business Administration from Pacific University provides an MBA part-time in 15 months. Students in this 36-credit hour, cohort-based program attend classes alternating weekends on Friday afternoons and Saturdays either in-person on the university’s Hillsboro campus or remotely via live stream. Students complete one course at a time with each lasting approximately four weeks. Students choose between interdisciplinary and Healthcare Management tracks. Features of the program include Corporate Landscape Tours and an optional seven-day International Seminar Travel Experience. 

Admission requirements for this MBA program include an undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited university, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. GRE and GMAT scores are not required but are encouraged. This 36-credit program costs $35,764. New cohorts begin each September.

Study Options: Part-Time vs. Full-Time

Many online colleges in Oregon offer degree programs with both full-time and part-time options. Part-time study is especially popular with online students who must continue to work while pursuing their academics, particularly those with established careers looking to advance. The advantage of full-time study is that students earn their degrees in less time, allowing them to get on with their professional lives more quickly. Below are examples of Oregon online degree programs with full-time and part-time study modes.

Master of Nursing in Nursing Education at Oregon Health & Science University (Part-Time)

The Master of Nursing in Nursing Education (MNE) program at Oregon Health & Sciences University offers both full-time and part-time study options. Part-time students begin in the fall term, continue through eight sequential terms, and finish in two years. The flexible curriculum is primarily online but some classes include in-person intensives on OHSU’s Portland campus. Students tailor their studies by choosing one of three clinical focus areas: Adult Gerontology Nursing, Community Health Nursing, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Coursework is also individualized through a focused teaching practicum that allows students to pursue their academic and professional interests in a variety of learning and teaching environments. 

Tuition for this 48-credit program is $661/credit for Oregon residents and $857/credit for non-residents. Students who are eligible for OHSU School of Nursing in-house scholarships typically receive $3,000 to $6,000 per academic year.

Bachelor of Science in Clinically Based Elementary Education at Oregon State University (Full-Time)

Oregon students with a passion for teaching children should consider the BS in Clinically Based Elementary Education from Oregon State University. This 90-credit program is full-time and designed to be completed in two years. Courses are in a hybrid format with in-person coursework attended on weekends three to four times each term. All students complete an internship and practicum (36 combined credits) with in-person classroom attendance and student teaching at schools in program-affiliated school districts. Students must also complete the edTPA national teacher proficiency assessment required for Oregon teaching license eligibility.

Admission requires 90 transfer credits earned at an Oregon community college following the Major Transfer Map or at other accredited colleges or universities. The tuition rate is just $346/credit regardless of state residency, and the program begins each fall.

Accreditation for Online Colleges in Oregon

Online degree programs are accredited by the same agencies as on-campus programs. Institutional accreditation concerns the vetting of colleges and universities overall and is administered by a number of U.S. Department of Education recognized regional and national accrediting bodies. The primary institutional accreditor of on-campus and online colleges in Oregon is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Programmatic accreditation focuses on vetting individual degree programs and is handled by dozens of independent organizations dedicated to ensuring the quality of academics in specific professional disciplines. Not all degrees are programmatically accredited, but it is an absolute must for those leading to state licensure or professional certification or for ones in highly-regulated professional fields. Examples of commonly programmatically accredited fields include education, engineering, nursing, and social work.

To learn more about the importance of postsecondary accreditation, visit OCM’s Accreditation Guide.

Cost of Online College Degrees in Oregon

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost for an undergraduate program at a four-year college or university in Oregon is $11,537 for Oregon residents in public school programs and $45,156 for private college students.

Your total cost for college depends on several factors, including residency status and choice of specific program and school. The chart below lists current undergraduate tuition rates for five online colleges in Oregon. Your total program cost is more after adding in program fees and the cost of books, supplies, etc. As an online student, your total price tag will likely be smaller because of savings on transportation costs from not having to travel to and from campus to attend classes.

School NameOn-Campus In-StateOn-Campus Out-of-StateOnline In-StateOnline Out-of-State
Bushnell University$495/credit$495/credit$495/credit$495/credit
Corban University$1,157/credit $1,157/credit $440/credit$440/credit
Multnomah University$890/credit$890/credit$580/credit$580/credit
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech)$222/ credit$333/credit (WUE member); $707/credit (all other states)$294/credit$294/credit
Southern Oregon University$209/credit$314/credit (WUE member); $617/credit (all other states)$284/credit$389/credit (WUE member and all other states)

* Costs are tuition only and do not include additional program fees except for online delivery fees.

Financial Aid: How It Works for Oregon Online Students

Most students need one or more financial aid sources to pay for college. Fortunately, students pursuing a degree from an accredited online college in Oregon are eligible for the same financial aid opportunities as those in traditional campus-based programs. Those include scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships (for grad students), VA benefits (for military vets), employer tuition reimbursement programs, and student loans like those available through the Federal Student Aid program.

Start your funding search through the State of Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC). The OSAC sponsors a variety of scholarships and grants totaling over $118 million awarded to thousands of Oregon students annually. The OSAC website also provides lots of useful information and advice on completing the FAFSA and ORSAA student financial aid applications.

Another valuable source of funding information is your college’s financial aid office. Contact them directly or via their websites. Examples of scholarship resources available from Oregon colleges and universities include:

Here are four additional scholarship and grant resources for Oregon college students:

For more great information and advice on paying for college, visit these financial aid and scholarship guides.

Hot Oregon Career Fields for College Grads

Many students are sold on the idea of earning a college degree online before they know exactly what career they want to pursue. If that’s you, the following chart lists ten careers expected to be among the fastest-growing in Oregon over the next several years. Use this information as a starting point for discovering a study path that’s right for you.

CareerJob Growth (2020-2030)Annual Mean Wage (2021)
Nurse Practitioner61.3%$128,190
Occupational Therapy Assistant46.2%$63,680
Physical Therapist Assistant42.4%$59,500
Physician Assistant39.5%$130,000
Statistician39.4%$84,570
Data Scientist38.2%$111,240
Medical and Health Services Manager37.7%$125,770
Information Security Analyst37.3%$110,740
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education36.6%$36,040
Operations Research Analyst33.6%$88,150

Sources: Bureau of Labor StatisticsProjections Central

Resources for Online College Students in Oregon

ASPIRE

ASPIRE focuses on educating Oregon students to become “career and college ready.” It provides a wealth of information on scholarship and grant resources, access to college and career toolboxes, and much more.

College Success: Online Readiness Assessment

Portland Community College provides this clearinghouse of resources on a range of topics all designed to support online academics. Topics include learning styles, goal setting, money and finances, study skills and test taking, internet competency, and technology vocabulary.

Helpful Online Study References

Central Oregon Community College provides links to a variety of useful online tools and resources to aid distance learning students in conducting research, completing assignments, and more. 

Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)

The HECC ensures “pathways to postsecondary education success for Oregonians statewide.” Resources include information on planning and paying for college, tools for transfer students, and this Find Oregon Colleges, Universities, and Programs page with links to all Oregon private and public colleges, universities, and careers schools. 

Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities (OAICU)

The site provides information and data on the value of a private college education in Oregon as well as an interactive map and links to OAICU’s 13 institution members. 

Oregon GEAR UP

Oregon GEAR UP ensures that low-income high school and middle school students are prepared to succeed in their postsecondary education pursuits. It sponsors Oregon Goes to College, which offers tons of valuable information on postsecondary education in Oregon.

Tips for Online Learning

This article from Southern Oregon University offers dozens of tips and strategies to help online students successfully meet their academic goals. Topics include goal setting and planning, structuring your learning environment, self-monitoring and record-keeping, organizing instructional materials, and more.