Western Oregon University provides reliable access to higher education for diverse student populations, with particularly strong support for first-generation and Pell-eligible students across Oregon.
The university combines broad accessibility with manageable costs and solid graduate outcomes, creating a practical pathway to degree completion and career advancement.
Western Oregon University is a medium-sized public university in Monmouth, Oregon, that prioritizes accessibility and student support. Azimuth ranks Western Oregon University 284th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the 70th percentile. The university serves a diverse student body, with 40% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 42% being first-generation college students, reflecting its commitment to providing educational opportunities for underrepresented populations.
The institution operates as what Azimuth categorizes as an "Under-Resourced Institution," combining strong access with more modest outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $51,815 ten years after enrollment, which places the university around the national average for earnings outcomes. While these earnings are solid, they represent slightly below-expected performance compared with similar institutions nationwide.
Western Oregon University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate programs, with particular strength in business, psychology, and emerging fields like artificial intelligence. The university maintains affordable net prices across income levels, with low-income students paying about $16,131 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $17,265. For many Oregon families, Western Oregon represents a practical choice that balances accessibility, affordability, and degree completion in a supportive campus environment.
Western Oregon University offers a diverse program portfolio that balances professional preparation with liberal arts education. Psychology leads enrollment with 114 graduates, reflecting the university's strength in social sciences and preparation for graduate study or human services careers. Business programs graduate 111 students annually and provide the highest aggregate return, combining solid enrollment with respectable earnings around $36,382 for early-career professionals.
The standout program financially is Artificial Intelligence, which graduates 40 students with median earnings of $52,607, demonstrating Western Oregon's investment in emerging technology fields that align with regional economic development. This program represents the university's highest-earning major and reflects growing demand for technology skills in the Pacific Northwest job market.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology, with 60 graduates earning around $26,850, represents the university's commitment to health and wellness fields, though these programs typically lead to more modest early-career earnings. The program mix overall emphasizes accessibility and broad educational opportunity rather than concentration in high-earning fields, which explains the university's moderate overall earnings profile while still providing valuable career preparation across diverse disciplines.
Graduates of Western Oregon University achieve solid long-term earnings, with a median income of $51,815 ten years after enrollment. This places the university around the national average for public institutions, though graduates earn slightly less than what might be expected given the student profile and program mix. The earnings trajectory shows steady growth from the early career years, with six-year median earnings of $42,537 building to stronger outcomes by the ten-year mark.
Program choice significantly influences earning potential at Western Oregon. Artificial Intelligence stands out as the highest-earning major, with graduates earning a median of $52,607 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for technology skills in the regional job market. Business majors, the university's largest high-return program with 111 graduates, earn around $36,382, while Psychology majors, representing the largest overall program with 114 graduates, see median earnings of $31,660. Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates typically earn around $26,850, reflecting the more modest pay scales common in health and fitness fields.
The university's program portfolio balances professional preparation with liberal arts education, though the concentration in fields like psychology and education contributes to the overall moderate earnings profile. Students interested in maximizing earning potential should consider the emerging technology programs or business concentrations, which tend to provide stronger financial returns in the regional economy.
Western Oregon University maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Oregon families. Low-income students pay a net price of about $16,131 annually, which is competitive with other regional public universities, while middle-income families see costs around $17,265 per year. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $20,906 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education accessible regardless of family financial circumstances.
Debt levels at Western Oregon are manageable for most graduates. Typical students leave with about $20,609 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns with national averages for public universities. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,815, indicating that many families choose to contribute directly to their student's education costs. The university's zero percent default rate demonstrates that graduates are generally able to manage their debt obligations successfully after graduation.
The combination of reasonable net prices and manageable debt loads creates a sustainable financial pathway for most Western Oregon students. With median earnings of $51,815 ten years after graduation, most borrowers can handle standard loan repayment without significant financial strain, making the university a practical choice for families seeking predictable costs and reliable debt serviceability.
Western Oregon University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
