Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Oregon University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Oregon University at a Glance
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a public university in La Grande, Oregon. It was formerly part of the since dissolved Oregon University System. EOU was founded in 1929 as a teacher’s college. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees. The school's athletic teams, the Mountaineers, are members of the Cascade and Frontier conferences of the NAIA.
1929
97 years old
$16M
$16.1 million (2021)
2,798
2,515 undergrad · 283 grad
131
110 acres
Identity
Is Eastern Oregon University Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Eastern Oregon University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,112 — 7% below average — while paying $17,148/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Eastern Oregon University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Eastern Oregon University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #92 of 117 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #6 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #92 | Eastern Oregon University | 29 | $17,148 | $50,112 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern Oregon University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in OR.
Best Programs at Eastern Oregon University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Oregon University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $27,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Eastern Oregon University earns $34,000, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $27,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $21,641 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,148/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,641 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,300 | $32,300 | $25,000 |
| Education, Other | $31,800 | $31,800 | $18,291 |
| Psychology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $24,952 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $28,500 | $28,500 | $27,388 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,900 | $27,900 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- La Grande, OR
- Student Body
- 2,172 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,148
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,112
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500