University of Oregon
University of Oregon — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Oregon at a Glance
The University of Oregon is a public research university in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1876, the university is organized into nine colleges and schools and offers 420 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university also operates the Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health in Portland, Oregon; the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston, Oregon; and Pine Mountain Observatory in Central Oregon.
1872
154 years old
$1.8B
$1.84 billion (2025)
24,448
20,711 undergrad · 3,737 grad
295 acres
Identity
Is University of Oregon Worth It?
University of Oregon offers moderate value at $22,182/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,324, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 72% graduation rate means roughly 28% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Oregon compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #35 of 50 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #35 | University of Oregon | 49 | $22,182 | $61,324 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Oregon's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OR.
Best Programs at University of Oregon
The highest-earning program at University of Oregon is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $57,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Philosophy at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Oregon earns $57,100, while a Philosophy graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $15,166 for Philosophy.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,182/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,100 | $57,100 | $23,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $19,500 |
| Architecture | $47,800 | $47,800 | $25,639 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $42,300 | $42,300 | $18,500 |
| Economics | $39,100 | $39,100 | $22,416 |
| Mathematics | $38,100 | $38,100 | $20,367 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,200 | $36,200 | $21,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,100 | $34,100 | $24,000 |
| Chemistry | $32,800 | $32,800 | $21,100 |
| Public Administration | $32,000 | $32,000 | $19,407 |
| Social Sciences, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $20,187 |
| Sociology | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,642 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,800 | $30,800 | $20,216 |
| Human Services, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $21,333 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $28,700 | $28,700 | $18,417 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $28,500 | $28,500 | $23,497 |
| Journalism | $27,800 | $27,800 | $21,030 |
| Geography and Cartography | $27,700 | $27,700 | $21,999 |
| Psychology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,666 |
| Biology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $19,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,700 | $26,700 | $22,437 |
| History | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,580 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $26,100 | $26,100 | $20,629 |
| Anthropology | $25,500 | $25,500 | $19,500 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,000 | $25,000 | $19,848 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $24,900 | $24,900 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,900 | $24,900 | $17,604 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $24,600 | $24,600 | $23,492 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $24,200 | $24,200 | $19,500 |
| Music | $22,700 | $22,700 | $21,920 |
| International/Global Studies | $22,400 | $22,400 | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,200 | $22,200 | $23,085 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,700 | $21,700 | $21,500 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $20,700 | $20,700 | $22,496 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $19,700 | $19,700 | $21,998 |
| Philosophy | $19,700 | $19,700 | $15,166 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Eugene, OR
- Student Body
- 20,497 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,182
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,324
- Median Student Debt
- $20,139