There has been a lot of talk about what the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Portland, OR, would be like for online students. From discussing flexibility options to concerns about tuition, online programs are in demand in the city. Additionally, more employers are demanding that schools offer these programs so that they can hire qualified candidates.
But online degrees can be exhausting to sift through, especially if a student doesn’t know where to begin the process. They need quick information to the factors that matter, such as tuition rates, class sizes, and degree types available. This is why this ranking exists; students can use it when they are ready to begin their search for the perfect program.
Methodology
This ranking is based on a points methodology, which requires immense research. The initial group of schools was located by searching for top 10 colleges for an online degree in Portland, OR, on the National Center for Education Statistics and its publicly available College Navigator database. Each school had its website independently reviewed for more information on the program. Schools were given points based on the following factors:
Types of online degree options available (associate, bachelor, master’s, doctorate): 1 point per degree level.
Cost per credit hour:
Under $250 – 4 points
$251 – $350 – 3 points
$351 – $450 – 2 points
Over $451 per credit hour – 1 point
Regional Accreditation:
Present – 1 point
Student to faculty ratio:
10:1 or less – 3 points
11:1 to 15:1 – 2 points
Greater than 15:1 – 1 point
The top 10 schools, which are listed below, were chosen based on the total amount of points they accrued during the selection process. All schools can be located within a 100-mile radius of Portland, OR.
10. Corban University
Salem, Oregon
Some of the best online master’s programs in the state come from Corban University. This school confers two graduate programs in business and psychology; there are concentrations available for each of them. Students will be able to complete their education with a Christian perspective in place, making it a great choice for Christian-minded individuals. Students can also earn credit for previous training and work experience. This school has a full suite of online services, including eBooks, online advising, tutoring, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $1,349
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 5
9. Linfield College
Portland, Oregon
Linfield College is one of the top colleges for online degrees in Portland, OR. This school confers 10 degree programs and 19 certificates at the undergraduate level. Fields of study include education, nursing, and business. Students at this school will have access to an admissions counselor, an academic advisor, and 24/7 technical support. There are also four start dates a year and accelerated terms. Other services include office hours for professors, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s
Cost per credit hour: $711
Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 5
8. Concordia University
Portland, Oregon
Students interested in online bachelor’s programs will find an incredible selection at Concordia University. This school provides students with a variety of undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, all taught with a Christian perspective. Fields of study include homeland security management, education, and healthcare administration. Students will have access to truncated term schedules and asynchronous courses. All programs are backed by a dedicated online staff that provides services such as technical support, academic and career advising, a bookstore, and access to the online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $499
Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 6
7. Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Health and Science University is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Portland, Oregon. This school offers students the chance to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in the health sciences field; certificates and endorsements are also available. With flexible online programs and affordable tuition, not to mention small class sizes, this is a great choice for nurses who wish to complete a bridge program or those who are interested in earning licensure. Services available on this online portal include academic advising, technical support, online office hours, tutoring, an online bookstore, an app, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $550
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 7
6. Warner Pacific College
Portland, Oregon
Some of the best online programs in the state come from Warner Pacific College. This school confers online undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including criminal justice, psychology, business, and education. Students at this school have the full attention of a dedicated online staff, which helps them complete registration and choose courses. Other services include academic and career advising, online tutoring, a bookstore, a library, and 24/7 technical support.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $500
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 7
5. Pacific University
Forest Grove, Oregon
Pacific University is one of the top colleges for online degrees in Portland, Oregon. Situated just a short drive away from the city, this school provides students with the chance to complete an online bachelor’s or master’s degree. Fields of study that students can engage in include education, business, engineering, nursing, and more. Students will be able to complete most of their requirements online; hybrid and low-residency options are also available. Services at this school include academic advising, office hours, technical support, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $468
Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 7
4. Multnomah University
Portland, Oregon
Great online programs exist at Multnomah University. This school confers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs, most of which can be earned 100 percent online with no residency requirements. Fields of study at this school include theological studies, global development and justice, and applied psychology, among others. This school features small class sizes and a fully trained faculty ready to prepare students for the workforce. Services include technical support, academic advising, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $465
Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 7
3. George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon
George Fox University is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Portland, OR. Students will be able to complete a degree at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels; certificates and endorsements are also available. Most programs are offered 100 percent online and have several flexibility options. Students will enjoy small class sizes, professors and faculty trained in online education, and more. Services include academic and career advising, tutoring, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $1,553
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 7
2. Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
A great school for online programs that are close to Portland, OR, is Oregon State University. This school confers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees; certificates and endorsements are also available. Students will have the chance to complete these degrees in a variety of delivery methods, including hybrid, low-residency, and 100 percent online programs of study. Services at this school include 24/7 technical support, academic advising, tutoring, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $297
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 8
1. Portland State University
Portland, Oregon
Portland State University once again is in first place as one of the top colleges for an online degree in Portland, OR. This school provides students with the chance to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in a variety of fields; certificates and endorsements are also available. Students can study everything from applied social demography to education to criminal justice. This school has a dedicated online staff that provides support services; these include technical support, academic and career advising, eBooks, an app, and an online bookstore and library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $152
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Total Points: 8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for an Online Degree?
Career options vary wildly for online programs. This is because so many programs exist and can be found at every level and every field of education. Students will be able to learn everything from computer science and criminal justice to education and nursing. The sky’s the limit for online learners.
The only exceptions to this rule are medical and law professionals. The United States Department of Education has determined that the best way to keep a standard in these professions is to require all students to complete an on-campus program at a specialty school. There are no exceptions in these fields.
Are Online Class Sizes Smaller Than Those Found On Campus?
This depends on the school. On average, though, courses tend to have a cap size of 35 students per course. This is because online students make up a smaller student body and schools also cap the number of candidates every year.
Online programs are very popular, but many schools still do not have large student bodies for their programs. This is especially true for graduate programs, which average about 40 students per start date. This means that class sizes are organically smaller. Some schools still cap class sizes, however, to ensure that all students get the attention they want to receive.
Annual enrollment in these programs is similarly capped; schools offer placements based on the availability of professors and other considerations. Because of this, programs do not have that many students; it is not unusual to find classes with less than 10 students.
Undergraduate programs tend to larger class sizes, but this is not universal. The best way to understand how small the class sizes are is to inquire with the school or look the information up on the program website.
Is it True That All Faculty That Teach Online are Trained in Online Education?
No, it is not true that all online programs are supported by a faculty that has been trained in online education. Schools often provide information telling students that the professors have been trained, but since there is no set regulation in place to ensure that this is the case, it is not required at this time.
Students will find that professors trained in online education are a benefit. They have designed their course to suit the needs of online education, making the course flow smoothly and without any concerns. Courses taught by professors not trained tend to experience more problems, but that does not mean the course is not taught by a dedicated professor. Training takes time and in the future, all professors will need to be qualified to teach online prior to doing so.
What are Accelerated Terms and How Do They Work?
Accelerated terms are terms that are shorter than traditional on-campus terms. On-campus programs utilize the traditional academic term structure where courses last approximately 16 weeks.
Accelerated terms can last anywhere from four to 12 weeks in length, with the most popular length being eight weeks. This is roughly half the time spent in a traditional course length, making it easier for students to complete their courses faster.
Students will find that the courses work similarly to traditional online terms. The major difference between the two is that students will be in immersive courses which move faster and provide more information than the standard term. Additionally, they will have less time for projects and exams, which can make it difficult for students who learn at a slower pace.
What is SARA and How is it Important to Online Students?
SARA is the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. It is an agreement between two or more states that students in those states can attend school in the other states and still meet the requirements for their field in all of the states. It is incredibly important for online students, both for licensure considerations and in terms of tuition.
First, it is critical that students understand that not all states participate in SARA. This is done on a state-by-state basis. Moreover, the agreement is usually done with bordering states. This means that a student in California may not be eligible for the agreement if they want to earn a degree in Texas or New York.
Second, the school is the ultimate determinant in whether it will accept SARA. This means that private schools often do not recognize the agreement for students, which is important to keep in mind for tuition. Public schools as a whole accept the agreement, making it easier for out-of-state students to attend the school.
SARA sometimes provides students from bordering states with the chance to earn a licensure program that can offer them the chance to seek work in the states within the agreement. This is not true for all cases, however, as some licensing boards do not recognize SARA in terms of educational requirements. Students will need to contact their state’s licensing board and the school to confirm that the agreement is in place and that they will be eligible for licensure.
The agreement may also offer students the chance to be eligible for in-state tuition rates. This is important for online students as many schools do not have an online tuition rate and therefore use the in-state or out-of-state tuition rates for on-campus students. A school in this agreement may make it easier for an out-of-state student to complete a degree in another state at the in-state tuition rate.
What is a Learning Management System?
A learning management system, which is also known as an online portal, is the system that online students use to access their coursework. It is operated and maintained by the school that is conferring the degree. There are many features that are provided for by this system which can help online students complete their degrees.
An online learning management system functions as a classroom. Lectures are recorded and uploaded for asynchronous courses; live courses are streamed live. The classroom is similar to an online chatroom in which students can connect with classmates and their professors, all from the comfort of their own home.
The system can also be used to submit assignments, papers, projects, quizzes, and even exams. Students may also use the private messaging app to contact classmates and professors to discuss projects or concerns. Grades are also delivered through the system, providing students with the information necessary in order to pass their courses.
There are several features associated with an online learning management system. The first is registration for courses. Students have access to online course schedules and can choose the classes that they need for graduation. It also provides information on whether the course is delivered live or on-demand so that students can schedule their courses accordingly.
The next feature is online office hours. These are delivered by professors who have set aside time in their schedule in case a student needs to discuss a grade or another concern with them. These hours are generally given through the system so that students can chat live with their professors.
Another feature is academic and career advising. While this is mostly done through email, students can also set up chat appointments with staff through the system. This also provides them with an advisor that can help schedule their courses to ensure that they graduate in the timeline allotted.
Technical support is also offered through the system. Students can choose to ask for help from technical support in the event that another feature of the system is not working properly. They may also inquire about different software and internet requirements so that they can complete their coursework.
Students are beginning to find out just how incredible online degrees can be. With so many features and the ability to enter into nearly every field, it is a great option for busy students. Armed with this list of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Portland, OR, students will be able to find the program that is right for them.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Portland, OR.
Sources:
- National Center for Education Statistics
- School Websites