Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Oregon 2025
Oregon State University
912 software engineering graduates annually, 84% graduation rate
Lewis & Clark College
18 software engineering graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Willamette University
5 software engineering graduates annually, 87% graduation rate
- 1.Oregon offers 8+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.Oregon State University leads with 84% graduation rate
- 3.Oregon software developers earn median $105,670 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro
- 5.Cost of living index: 102.9% of US average (above average)
Software Engineering Education in Oregon: Overview
Oregon offers 8 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 1,070 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, with major employers including Intel, Nike, Salesforce.
With a median software developer salary of $105,670 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 102.9% compared to the US average, Oregon offers competitive salaries that offset the higher cost of living.
The top software engineering programs in the state are led by Oregon State University, Lewis & Clark College, Willamette University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 8 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Oregon-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Oregon Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | Public | $11,145 | 84% | 78.3 |
| 2 | Lewis & Clark College | Portland, OR | Private | $61,916 | 95% | 48.1 |
| 3 | Willamette University | Salem, OR | Private | $48,000 | 87% | 43.1 |
| 4 | Portland State University | Portland, OR | Public | $8,694 | — | 41.6 |
| 5 | University of Portland | Portland, OR | Private | $54,400 | — | 35.1 |
| 6 | Linfield University | McMinnville, OR | Private | $49,810 | — | 32 |
| 7 | Pacific University | Forest Grove, OR | Private | $53,174 | — | 30.2 |
| 8 | George Fox University | Newberg, OR | Private | $40,220 | — | 29.8 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Oregon: Side-by-Side
| School | Oregon State | Lewis & Clark College | Willamette | Portland State | U of Portland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,145 | $61,916 | $48,000 | $8,694 | $54,400 |
| Graduation Rate | 84% | 95% | 87% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 912 | 18 | 5 | 87 | 38 |
| Acceptance Rate | 79% | 75% | 79% | 91% | 95% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 78.3/100 | 48.1/100 | 43.1/100 | 41.6/100 | 35.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Oregon
Oregon offers 8 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Oregon State University, Lewis & Clark College, Portland State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $73,969 in the Oregon market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Oregon
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Oregon State | $11,145 | 84% | 912 | 78.3 |
| #2 Lewis & Clark College | $61,916 | 95% | 18 | 48.1 |
| #3 Portland State | $8,694 | N/A% | 180 | 46.6 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Oregon
For graduate study, Oregon offers 2 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include Oregon State University, Portland State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Oregon reaching $137,371 or more.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Oregon
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Oregon State | $11,145 | 84% | 103 | 78.3 |
| #2 Portland State | $8,694 | N/A% | 87 | 41.6 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Oregon
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Oregon are at Portland State University ($8,694/year), Oregon State University ($11,145/year), George Fox University ($40,220/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Oregon's competitive tech salaries.
At Portland State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $34,776 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $73,969, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.9 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Oregon (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Portland State | $8,694 | $34,776 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #2 Oregon State | $11,145 | $44,580 | 1.1 years | Public |
| #3 George Fox | $40,220 | $160,880 | 4.1 years | Private |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in Oregon
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering programs in Oregon, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,145 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 84% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 912 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 79%
- • Ranking Score: 78.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- 912 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 78.3 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (84%), program size (912 graduates), state salary outcomes ($105,670), and selectivity (79% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Oregon State's Software Engineering program prepares students for employment as software engineers with hands-on experience building maintainable, scalable real-world software systems. The program offers both online delivery options and focuses on practical skills including mobile development, cloud applications, and startup experience through comprehensive project work.
Program Details
- Credits: 180 quarter credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, OR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $61,916 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 18 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 75%
- • Ranking Score: 48.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 18 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 48.1 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (18 graduates), state salary outcomes ($105,670), and selectivity (75% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Lewis & Clark College offers Computer Science programs with an emphasis on developing conceptual and computational intuition, featuring professors recognized on the U.S. News Best Undergraduate Teaching list. The program provides flexible tracks including cybersecurity concentration and culminates in a software development capstone project.
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Willamette University
Salem, OR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $48,000 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 87% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 79%
- • Ranking Score: 43.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 5 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 43.1 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (87%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($105,670), and selectivity (79% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Portland State University
Portland, OR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,694 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 87 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 91%
- • Ranking Score: 41.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 87 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 41.6 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (87 graduates), state salary outcomes ($105,670), and selectivity (91% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Portland
Portland, OR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $54,400 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 38 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 95%
- • Ranking Score: 35.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 38 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 35.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (38 graduates), state salary outcomes ($105,670), and selectivity (95% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Portland's Computer Science program offers small class sizes with design experiences integrated across all four years, culminating in a capstone project, while providing one-on-one undergraduate research opportunities and specialized facilities like the Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation.
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Amazon, Garmin, Apple, Daimler, Google
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Career Paths
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Software Engineer opportunities in Oregon with strong job growth.
Backend Developer
SOC 15-1252Backend Developer opportunities in Oregon with strong job growth.
Frontend Developer
SOC 15-1252Frontend Developer opportunities in Oregon with strong job growth.
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1252Full Stack Developer opportunities in Oregon with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Oregon with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro
- You're seeking competitive salaries ($105,670 median)
- You want to work at companies like Intel or Nike
- You prefer Oregon's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Oregon's 8)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Oregon
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Explore computer science programs in Oregon
Explore computer engineering programs in Oregon
Explore information technology programs in Oregon
Software Engineering Programs in Other States
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Software Engineering in Oregon FAQ
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Oregon salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.