In the scenic Pacific Northwest, Oregon is ideal for IT professionals to live, work, and pursue an education. The Portland metro area is home to tech giants like Intel and Airbnb and local enterprises like Nike and Daimler, which employ thousands of computer scientists and engineers. Oregon also boasts a thriving start-up community due to its relative affordability versus neighboring Washington and California. Portland is even dubbed “Silicon Forest” for its large concentration of high-tech businesses and its proximity to California’s Silicon Valley.
The top computer science schools in Oregon include Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, the University of Oregon (UO) in Eugene, and the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) in Klamath Falls.
This page will highlight the best computer science programs in Oregon. We'll also examine career outcomes for CS graduates in-state, including the top-paying cities and roles for computer science professionals.
What makes our rankings valuable?
Most college rankings online rely heavily on the National Center for Education Statistics, measuring institutional rates for graduation, retention, acceptance, etc. The NCES has good data, and we use it too; however, we go beyond the stats to analyze the current and future relevance of the skills and credentials gained. We also delve deep into value and flexibility to consider accelerated, online, and certificate options at each school.
Top 3 CS Schools in Oregon
We selected Oregon's best computer science schools using numerous criteria, including the relevance of the curriculum, the scope of degrees offered, school reputation, program features, value, and flexibility.
Here are the top computer science schools in Oregon for 2024:
1. Oregon State University
OSU is a public research institution that draws students from around the world. Its College of Engineering is renowned for offering some of the best computer science programs in Oregon and the nation. A computer science degree from OSU opens doors to opportunities in fast-growing fields like medical data analysis, robotics, artificial intelligence, web traffic analysis, and cybersecurity.
- Top Computer Science & Engineering Degrees:
- Artificial Intelligence (M.S., Graduate Minor, Ph.D.)
- Computer Science (B.A., B.S., H.B.A., H.B.S., Grad and Undergraduate Minor, M.Eng., M.A., M.S., Ph.D.)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (B.S., H.B.S., M.Eng., M.S., Graduate Minor, Ph.D.)
- Robotics (M.Eng., M.S., Graduate Minor, Ph.D.)
- View all programs at OSU
- Campus Locations:
- Corvallis: 1500 SW Jefferson Way | Corvallis, OR 97331
- Cascades: 1500 SW Chandler Avenue | Bend, Oregon 97702
- Hatfield: 2030 SE Marine Science Drive | Newport, OR 97365
- OSU Ecampus (Online)
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Tech takes pride in its mission to deliver Oregon's best online degrees in IT and computer science. Earning a B.S. in Information Technology from Oregon Tech equips students with valuable skills in application development, systems analysis, data analytics, network administration, and more.
- Featured Information Technology Programs:
- B.S. in Information Technology
- B.A.S. in Technology and Management
- M.S. in Engineering Degree (MSE)
- View all programs at Oregon Tech
- Campus Locations:
- Klamath Falls: 3201 Campus Dr. | Klamath Falls, OR 97601
- Portland-Metro: 27500 SW Parkway Ave. | Wilsonville, OR 97070
- Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
3. University of Oregon
Computer science majors at UO benefit from world-class instruction, hands-on undergraduate research, study abroad opportunities, and state-of-the-art computing facilities. University of Oregon’s comp-sci programs prepare graduates for lucrative roles in software engineering, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity.
- Top Computer Science Majors:
- Computer Science (B.A. / B.S.)
- Math and Computer Science (B.A. / B.S.)
- View all programs at UO
- Campus Locations:
- UO School of Computer and Data Sciences: 1202 University of Oregon | Eugene, OR 97403
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Top Paying Tech Careers in Oregon
If you decide to work in Oregon after earning your computer science degree, this is how much you can make. Here are the average salaries for the highest-paying technology roles in-state:
| IT Career Path | Average Salary in OR |
|---|---|
| Computer Scientist | $137,760 |
| Hardware Engineer | $111,020 |
| Network Architect | $115,830 |
| Software Developer | $107,470 |
| IT Security Specialist | $105,350 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional CS Salaries in Oregon
These Oregon cities and metro areas pay computer science and IT professionals the highest wages:
| Location in Oregon | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $96,390 |
| Salem, OR | $82,540 |
| Corvallis, OR | $81,840 |
| Medford, OR | $78,740 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | $78,300 |
| Eugene, OR | $75,950 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Technology and higher education insiders answer common questions from computer science degree candidates in Oregon:
What college has the best computer science program in Oregon?
According to our 2024 rankings, Oregon State University has the #1 computer science program in Oregon. The latest data from U.S. News & World Report also ranks OSU as the top computer science school in-state (tied with the University of Oregon).
What's the best online computer science school in Oregon?
With career-ready CS majors and minors, flexible online and hybrid formats, and a low tuition cost of $409 per credit, Oregon State University's Ecampus is Oregon's top online school for computer science.
