Best colleges for Biology in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Oregon, Pacific University and Southern Oregon University are the top bachelor's Biology programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. University of Oregon leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,483, College Scorecard. Oregon State University, Portland State University and University of Oregon award the most Biology degrees in Oregon: 205, 125 and 109 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Oregon colleges offer Biology and award 807 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,483 | 109 | 72% | — | $25,400 |
| 2 | Pacific University Forest Grove Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,612 | 29 | 67% | $30,571 | $26,021 |
| 3 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,930 | 24 | 43% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | George Fox University Newberg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,523 | 30 | 72% | $26,564 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,982 | 205 | 70% | — | $22,846 |
| 6 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,468 | 125 | 53% | — | $25,750 |
| 7 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,340 | 58 | 80% | $33,822 | $22,846 |
| 8 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,726 | 26 | 47% | — | $27,342 |
| 9 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,596 | 34 | 71% | $28,272 | — |
| 10 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,050 | 67 | 75% | $27,621 | $21,464 |
Colleges awarding the most Biology degrees in Oregon
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 205 | $30,982 |
| 2 | Portland State University Portland Public | 125 | $29,468 |
| 3 | University of Oregon Eugene Public | 109 | $35,483 |
| 4 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 67 | $24,050 |
| 5 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit | 58 | $26,340 |
| 6 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 34 | $25,596 |
| 7 | George Fox University Newberg Private not-for-profit | 30 | $33,523 |
| 8 | Pacific University Forest Grove Private not-for-profit | 29 | $34,612 |
| 9 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public | 26 | $25,726 |
| 10 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 24 | $33,930 |
ShowHide the other 14 Oregon colleges offering Biology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls | Public | 16 |
| Corban University | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Linfield University | McMinnville | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande | Public | 13 |
| Willamette University | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Oregon Health & Science University | Portland | Public | 7 |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham | Public | 6 |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City | Public | 5 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 3 |
| Bushnell University | Eugene | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Lane Community College | Eugene | Public | 1 |
| Rogue Community College | Grants Pass | Public | 1 |
| Warner Pacific University | Portland | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Tillamook Bay Community College | Tillamook | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).
Top skills
What Biological Technicians earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biology programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Biology degrees?+
Oregon State University (205 graduates a year), Portland State University (125 graduates a year) and University of Oregon (109 graduates a year) award the most Biology degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Oregon colleges offer Biology.
What is the best college for Biology in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, University of Oregon leads among bachelor's Biology programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,483, College Scorecard. Pacific University and Southern Oregon University follow. By degrees awarded, Oregon State University is the largest, with 205 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Biology program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Oregon tops the list at $35,483. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biological Technicians earn in Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in Oregon is $55,920 (median $52,190), across about 1,590 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biology program?+
The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Biological Technicians?+
The national job outlook is about +3.5% growth with around 9,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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