Best colleges for Economics in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Portland State University, Willamette University and University of Oregon are the top bachelor's Economics programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Portland State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,865, College Scorecard. University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University award the most Economics degrees in Oregon: 135, 66 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Oregon colleges offer Economics and award 313 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
Top 6 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 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,865 | 25 | 53% | — | $24,949 |
| 2 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,993 | 21 | 71% | $20,345 | $19,500 |
| 3 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,941 | 135 | 72% | — | $19,305 |
| 4 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,708 | 66 | 70% | — | $23,849 |
| 5 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $53,110 | 14 | 71% | $28,272 | $22,842 |
| 6 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,576 | 18 | 75% | $27,621 | $25,246 |
Colleges awarding the most Economics 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 | University of Oregon Eugene Public | 135 | $45,941 |
| 2 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 66 | $45,708 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public | 25 | $47,865 |
| 4 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit | 21 | $45,993 |
| 5 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 18 | $49,576 |
| 6 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 14 | $53,110 |
| 7 | Linfield University McMinnville Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 10 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Oregon colleges offering Economics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Oregon University | Ashland | Public | 3 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
University of Oregon (135 graduates a year), Oregon State University (66 graduates a year) and Portland State University (25 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Oregon colleges offer Economics.
What is the best college for Economics in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Portland State University leads among bachelor's Economics programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,865, College Scorecard. Willamette University and University of Oregon follow. By degrees awarded, University of Oregon is the largest, with 135 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Economics program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Portland State University tops the list at $47,865. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Economists earn in Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Economists in Oregon is $116,410 (median $122,120), across about 320 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Economics program?+
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Economists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.2% growth with around 900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master'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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