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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Oregon
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Oregon? This list ranks 73 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 16 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Oregon
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Oregon Coast Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Trade degree schools in Oregon. Set in Newport, OR, Oregon Coast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544. Read more about Oregon Coast Community College
A rank of #2 makes Portland Community College one of the best values in Oregon. Based in Portland, OR, Portland Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $20,648. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,592. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt. See the full Portland Community College profile
A rank of #3 makes Umpqua Community College one of the best values in Oregon. Umpqua Community College is a public school based in Roseburg, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,104. The median Trade program debt is $13,058. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,676. Set against $13,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Umpqua Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clackamas Community College earned it the #4 place in Oregon. Clackamas Community College is a public school based in Oregon City, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, compared with $14,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,886. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Clackamas Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt Hood Community College earned it the #5 place in Oregon. Mt Hood Community College is a public school based in Gresham, OR. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $18,767. Mt Hood Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,125 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Mt Hood Community College
Lane Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Eugene, OR, Lane Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Lane Community College
Rogue Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Rogue Community College is a public school based in Grants Pass, OR. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $15,248. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,845. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Rogue Community College report
Central Oregon Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Central Oregon Community College is a public school based in Bend, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,683, with out-of-state students paying around $15,246. The median Trade program debt is $16,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,940. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Central Oregon Community College
Chemeketa Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Salem, OR, Chemeketa Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,040. Typical Trade student debt is $15,755. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,968 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Chemeketa Community College profile
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for value in Oregon this year. This public school is set in Klamath Falls, OR. In-state tuition and fees average $13,260, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Students borrow a median of $27,551 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon Institute Of Technology admits about 95% of applicants. More on Oregon Institute Of Technology
Linn Benton Community College placed #11 among the best-value Trade schools in Oregon. Linn Benton Community College is a public school based in Albany, OR. Students from in state pay about $7,317 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. The median Trade program debt is $17,959. Median earnings reach $41,363 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,959 median debt. See the full Linn Benton Community College profile
Southwestern Oregon Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Southwestern Oregon Community College is a public school based in Coos Bay, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,192. Students borrow a median of $13,609 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,349 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,609 median debt. More on Southwestern Oregon Community College
Blue Mountain Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Blue Mountain Community College is a public school based in Pendleton, OR. In-state tuition and fees average $7,076, compared with $9,754 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $20,615. Blue Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,375 a decade after entry. Set against $20,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Blue Mountain Community College report
Portland State University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants. Read the full report on Portland State University
Warner Pacific College landed the #15 spot for value in Oregon this year. Located in Portland, OR, Warner Pacific College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,220. The median Trade program debt is $41,254. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,204. Set against $41,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. More on Warner Pacific College
Pacific University placed #16 among the best-value Trade schools in Oregon. Located in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,374. Pacific University Trade students take on a median of $26,170 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,583 ten years after entry. Set against $26,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific University admits about 90% of applicants. See the full Pacific University profile
Carrington College Portland offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Read the full report on Carrington College Portland
Multnomah University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Multnomah University
Western Oregon University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Western Oregon University
College Of Hair Design Careers ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on College Of Hair Design Careers
Western Seminary
Western Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Western Seminary profile
Beau Monde College Of Hair Design Beau Monde Academy Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. More on Beau Monde College Of Hair Design Beau Monde Academy Of Cosmetology
Aveda Institute Portland came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Aveda Institute Portland report
Phagans Beauty College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Phagans Beauty College
University Of Oregon landed the #25 spot for value in Oregon this year. Read the full report on University Of Oregon
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Oregon
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Phagans Medford Beauty School came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. See the full Phagans Medford Beauty School profile
Portland Fashion Institute landed the #27 spot for value in Oregon this year. More on Portland Fashion Institute
Reed College
Reed College landed the #28 spot for value in Oregon this year. See the full Reed College profile
Northwest College Medford landed the #29 spot for value in Oregon this year. Read the full report on Northwest College Medford
Oregon State University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Oregon State University
Phagans School Of Beauty offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Phagans School Of Beauty
George Fox University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on George Fox University
Johnny Matthews Hairdressing Training School came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Johnny Matthews Hairdressing Training School
Treasure Valley Community College placed #34 among the best-value Trade schools in Oregon. Read the full report on Treasure Valley Community College
Northwest Christian University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Northwest Christian University
Oregon State University Cascades Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Oregon State University Cascades Campus profile
University Of Portland landed the #37 spot for value in Oregon this year. Get the full University Of Portland report
Klamath Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Klamath Community College profile
American College Of Healthcare Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on American College Of Healthcare Sciences
Phagans School Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on Phagans School Of Hair Design
National College Of Natural Medicine landed the #41 spot for value in Oregon this year. See the full National College Of Natural Medicine profile
Portland Actors Conservatory landed the #42 spot for value in Oregon this year. Get the full Portland Actors Conservatory report
Northwest College Clackamas ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Northwest College Clackamas profile
Oregon Health And Science University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Oregon Health And Science University
Summit Salon Academy Portland placed #45 among the best-value Trade schools in Oregon. Read the full report on Summit Salon Academy Portland
Tillamook Bay Community College placed #46 among the best-value Trade schools in Oregon. Read more about Tillamook Bay Community College
New Hope Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. More on New Hope Christian College
Lewis And Clark College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Lewis And Clark College
Willamette University landed the #49 spot for value in Oregon this year. See the full Willamette University profile
Northwest College Tualatin landed the #50 spot for value in Oregon this year. Get the full Northwest College Tualatin report
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 16 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 73 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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