Oregon's private colleges and universities fulfill an important public purpose by providing higher education to 30 percent of the state's four-year college students.

Early pioneers to the Oregon Territory established Willamette University as the first institution of higher learning west of St. Louis in 1842. Ever since, visionary Oregonians have been creating and nurturing high-quality independent colleges and universities supported by students, families, donors and community initiative rather than by taxes or government funding.

The diversity of Oregon's people is reflected in the diversity of these institutions, providing undergraduate liberal arts and sciences curricula, specialized two- and four-year professional and technical training, and a wide range of graduate studies.

Today these institutions enroll more than 30,000 students, from all income levels, all ethnic backgrounds and all areas of academic interest.

The variety of educational programs among Oregon's independent colleges and universities, coupled with the diversity and sheer beauty of this state, make Oregon a net importer of college students and a place where many young people from around the nation and the world look for their college of choice.

Oregon has always been a place people dream about and a place where dreams come true.  Once it was fertile fields and dense forests that filled the dreams of early pioneer settlers.  Their legacy is that Oregon is still a place sought out and appreciated by 21st Century pioneers--a place of awesome beauty and diversity, a spirit of confidence that rewards entrepreneurship, a community of people who cherish character and independence. 

If you haven't got at least one Oregon college or university in your dream list, then we invite you to consider the many options among our independent campuses.  Their websites can be accessed from our "Members" page.