
Admit rate has ranged 82%–93% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Oregon is a large, public research university in Eugene that operates with the relaxed, outdoorsy ethos of the Pacific Northwest. It’s known for a sprawling, park-like campus, a powerhouse athletics culture centered on the Ducks, and standout programs in fields like education, journalism, and sustainability. While its admissions are accessible, the university fosters a surprisingly intimate academic environment with a median class size of 20 and a student body that skews heavily toward in-state residents.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
The schools that most often appear alongside Oregon on applicants’ lists, from our self-reported outcomes corpus.
Co-application frequency from self-reported results — directional peer discovery, not a recommendation.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
The University of Oregon is a , less-selective public institution with an admissions process that prioritizes academic preparation within the context of a . The university offers a non-binding Early Action deadline of November 1, which has grown in popularity, accounting for 50% of applications by 2023. For the middle 50% of admitted freshmen, high school GPAs range from 3.46 to 4.06. The university's own data indicates that special consideration is given to students with demonstrated talent or abilities in areas of interest to the institution, such as sports, the arts, or languages. Demonstrated interest, however, is not formally cited as a primary factor in the 's factor importance grid. The process is designed to be accessible, with a high that reflects its role as a public flagship serving Oregon students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Oregon offers a comprehensive undergraduate education across more than 150 graduate and certificate programs, with students required to complete an academic major and having the option to add minors or additional majors. The academic environment is characterized by a student-faculty ratio of 18:1 and a median class size of 20 students, which helps create a more personalized experience within a large university setting. The university is organized into colleges focusing on areas like Business, Communication, and Media; Climate, Sustainability, and the Built Environment; Creative and Performing Arts; and Education, Society, and Human Development. It ranks in the top 25 nationally in fields such as education and special education. Student reviews describe the academics as challenging yet supportive, with passionate professors who make an effort to know their students.
Life at UO is deeply connected to its location in Eugene, a city known for its outdoor culture and proximity to forests, rivers, and the coast. The campus itself is a major focal point, with 28% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The Division of Student Life promotes an active, engaged community through Academic Residential Communities and a wide array of clubs and activities, encapsulated in the concept of 'Duck Life.' Living on campus is heavily marketed as a foundational experience for connection, friendship, and access to resources. The social and cultural heartbeat of the university is inextricably linked to its NCAA Division I athletics, particularly the Oregon Ducks football team, which commands widespread school spirit. The overall vibe is one of an active, community-oriented student body that balances academic pursuits with the recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest.
The University of Oregon has shown consistent improvement in student success metrics, with graduation rates reaching all-time highs. Its four-year graduation rate has hit 60.7%, while the six-year rate is 74.4%, placing its overall graduation rate within the top 25% of institutions nationally. The university's data strongly indicates that living on campus correlates with positive outcomes; first-time, full-time freshmen who live on campus have higher GPAs, higher retention rates, higher graduation rates, and faster graduation times. For bachelor's degree holders from Oregon's public universities, median earnings have shown substantial growth, rising from $36,000 for the 2007-2008 graduating class to $57,000 for the 2017-2018 class. These figures underscore a trajectory of increasing student preparedness for employment or further education.
As a public university, Oregon's affordability is a key part of its value proposition, with a significant portion of students receiving financial aid. The university distributes over $352 million in total financial aid to students. For first-year non-resident students, the university offers a tiered system of merit scholarships, including the UO Excellence Scholarship ($20,000 per year), the Summit Scholarship ($12,500 per year), and the Apex Scholarship ($10,000 per year), along with smaller awards like the IB Diploma Scholarships. Financial aid eligibility is determined using the Student Aid Index (SAI), and all recipients must meet specific criteria to receive and maintain their funds. The university provides calculators to help families estimate costs, which are based on the upcoming academic year. The sources reviewed do not indicate that the University of Oregon has a no-loan policy or a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
The University of Oregon carves out a distinct identity by perfectly marrying the scale and resources of a major research university with the vibe and values of the Pacific Northwest. It’s not just the green, park-like campus or the iconic Hayward Field; it’s a culture that values sustainability, outdoor activity, and creative expression as much as academic rigor. The university punches above its weight in specific, often unexpected areas—consistently ranking in the top 25 nationally for education and special education programs. Its secret sauce is the balance it strikes: the electric, school-wide camaraderie of Ducks athletics coexists with a surprisingly intimate classroom experience, thanks to a median class size of just 20 students. For students who thrive in a collaborative, active, and spirited environment—where you can attend a top-tier lecture in the morning and hike a forest trail in the afternoon—Oregon offers a uniquely integrated and vibrant college experience.