Top Universities in Oregon

Oregon's higher education system is anchored by two major public research universities — University of Oregon and Oregon State University — plus Portland State University and a strong network of liberal arts colleges.

University of Oregon (Eugene)
The flagship humanities and social sciences university in the Oregon University System. UO has approximately 22,000 students and is particularly strong in architecture (Sustainable Cities Initiative), journalism (SOJC, one of the top journalism schools in the US), law (Oregon Law), business (Lundquist College), and arts. Nike was co-founded by UO track coach Bill Bowerman and UO athlete Phil Knight — the deep Nike connection has brought extraordinary donations to UO athletics. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on campus is excellent.

Oregon State University (Corvallis)
Oregon's land-grant research university — OSU is strongest in engineering, agriculture, forestry (the College of Forestry is the best in the US), ocean sciences (the Hatfield Marine Science Laboratory in Newport and the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences are nationally prominent), and veterinary medicine (Oregon's only vet school). OSU has approximately 36,000 students and is the most research-intensive public university in Oregon. The Cascades campus in Bend is a regional branch.

Portland State University (Portland)
Oregon's urban research university — PSU serves approximately 25,000 students in downtown Portland. PSU is noted for community engagement, sustainability studies, and professional programs (urban planning, social work, public health). The urban campus's integration with Portland's city center is distinctive.

Reed College (Portland)
One of the finest small liberal arts colleges in the US — Reed consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges nationally for intellectual rigor and graduate school placement. The senior thesis requirement and the conference-style pedagogy attract students seeking deep academic engagement. Reed's alumni include Steve Jobs (briefly) and a disproportionate number of Ph.D. recipients per student body.

Lewis & Clark College (Portland)
A selective liberal arts college known for international affairs, environmental studies, and the prestigious Lewis & Clark Law School. The campus in Portland's Southwest Hills is one of the most beautiful small college campuses in the Pacific Northwest.