Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities

College is worth it.

The wage gap between college and high school graduates is significant. College graduates earn an average of 67.3% more in annual median earnings (approx. $26,104) and are more likely to be “very satisfied” with their work.

In addition to higher income, there are other payoffs too. College graduates’ unemployment rate is significantly lower in thriving and struggling economies. They’re also more likely to enjoy better health, vote, volunteer, and be involved in their communities.

Student success is our first priority.

Personal attention and high-quality learning experiences – that’s what Oregon’s private colleges and universities are all about. Alliance institutions provide substantial value with effective and efficient learning opportunities that give graduates an advantage when transitioning into the workforce.

Time is money. Private colleges are competitively priced, simple math proves it.

Prospective students and their families often assume the “sticker” price is what attending a private nonprofit college or university is going to cost. Often, this is not the case.

Institutions regularly grant scholarships and aid to students. In 2016, 87% of students starting at Alliance institutions as full time received institutional grants. Further, the average institutional grant to these students was over $22,529 per year. This allowed over a quarter of students graduated with zero debt.

For students with loans, loan default rates for Alliance graduates are the lowest in the state, and half that of 4-year private nonprofit colleges nationwide.

Meg Ridenour

News

August 17, 2023

Oregon Private College Week 2023 Welcomed Nearly 1,100 Student Visits to Alliance Member Campuses

TUALATIN, OR – The Alliance and its undergraduate private, nonprofit college and university members welcomed nearly 1,100 student visits during Oregon Private College Week (OPCW) July 24-28, 2023. Demonstrating the…

Meg Ridenour

News

June 28, 2023

Viewpoint: How Oregon’s private colleges lay the groundwork for the state’s future successes

In the realm of economic development, it is vital that we recognize and harness the immense influence that academic institutions wield over the prosperity of states and regions. Oregon's private,…

Meg Ridenour

News

June 22, 2023

The Katherine Bisbee II Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Provides University of Portland an Opportunity to Safeguard Oregon’s Water Supply

University of Portland’s Shiley School of Engineering professor Jordyn Wolfand and her students are helping conservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest by partnering with Blue Forest Conservation to assess Oregon’s…

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Student Success:

Do Good; Do Well:

College is worth it.

College graduates earn

$1+ million more

“I love my job. For an entry-level engineer, this is as good as it gets. I manage people and do engineering-not to mention I get to see and work on helicopters every day. At this point in life, this is my dream job.”

Student success is our first priority.

We are focused on excellent teaching. That means, smaller is better, with an average ratio of twelve students to every faculty member.

This means more faculty-student interaction and a more personalized learning environment for students.

Opportunities for real world experiences: internships, service learning, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research programs

All Alliance institutions offer, and highly encourage, students to apply what they’ve learned, so graduates are more experienced upon entering the workforce.

Finish a bachelor’s degree & enter the workforce on time.

On average, 3 in 5 Oregon private college & university students graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in four years while 3 in 5 public university students take six years to graduate, delaying their entry into the workforce.

Save time & money with dual degree programs

Pair a liberal arts degree with a graduate degree, for example a BA/MBA, and earn two degrees in less time. These special programs are offered at several Alliance institutions.

“The critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills I’m learning here have become instrumental in my success… My liberal arts education here sets me up perfectly for grad school and my career goals.”

FACT

55% of professional leaders have degrees in traditional liberal arts fields, according to a recent survey of 1,709 leaders from 30 countries.

FACT

14% of MacArthur “geniuses” earned their degrees from liberal arts colleges, compared to 2% of all American college graduates.

Time is money. Private colleges are competitively priced, simple math proves it.

With the help of grants and scholarships

1 in 3

private college students

graduate with zero debt

Alliance Member Colleges and Universities

News Stories

Oregon Private College Week 2023 Welcomed Nearly 1,100 Student Visits to Alliance Member Campuses

Viewpoint: How Oregon’s private colleges lay the groundwork for the state’s future successes

The Katherine Bisbee II Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Provides University of Portland an Opportunity to Safeguard Oregon’s Water Supply

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