Top 7 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Oregon

Completing a college degree is a goal and dream for many people, recent high school graduates and working adults alike. However it is also something that can have a seemingly insurmountable cost.

Most who are seeking an education are concerned about college costs. Options exist to help alleviate that financial stress.

Here are some of the best options for free or low-cost online courses and degrees in Oregon.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

These Oregon institutions offer free college-level courses online.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public university located in Corvallis, Oregon. The university offers over 200 degrees including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, many of which are offered online.

The university also has an emphasis on open education resources. Open educational resources are learning materials that are designed to be free such as textbooks, classroom activities, assignments, and even full courses.

Alongside many other resources, OSU features massive online open courses, or MOOCs, such as their free Intro to Permaculture course.

Portland State University

Portland State University is an Oregonian university that was founded after the Second World War. With a focus on affordability as well as quality, Portland State offers a plethora of degrees, including many online.

As part of their commitment to affordability, Portland State University offers tuition-free degrees to eligible students. This program will cover the remaining tuition and most mandatory fees after financial aid is applied to the balance.

There are some fees and costs that cannot be covered by this program, such as online course fees, room and board, textbook costs, etc.

Low-Cost Online Colleges and Universities in Oregon

While tuition-free degrees may be more uncommon, there are many online colleges and universities in Oregon that offer high quality education at an affordable price.

Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University is a public university located in La Grande. It has been in operation since the early 20th century, and among its many degrees is a strong offering of online programs.

Eastern Oregon University is also one of the more affordable options in the state. It has been recognized as one of the 'best value colleges in the Northwest.'

Undergraduate online tuition at Eastern Oregon University is $286 per credit hour, and the university also has many financial aid options, making it a great choice for an affordable education.

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University is another public institution in Oregon, which is located in Ashland. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, many of which are online.

SOU offers many need and merit-based scholarships for which students may qualify, along with other financial aid options like loans and grants.

Additionally, SOU has a low tuition cost with in-state undergraduate tuition coming in at $215 per credit hour. The total cost for a full-time undergraduate schedule is $3,386.

Clackamas Community College

Clackamas Community College is located in Oregon City and is one of the largest community colleges in the state. It is a great choice for an associate degree, certificate, or for preparing to transfer to a university.

CCC offers many online and hybrid classes to allow students to conveniently complete courses and ultimately their degree.

Additionally, Clackamas Community College is extremely affordable. Tuition is only $121 per credit hour, and the college offers financial aid and scholarships. It is a great option for completing core classes before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree.

Multnomah University

Multnomah University is a private Christian university that is located in Portland, Oregon. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.

As a private university, Multnomah is slightly more expensive that others included here. However, it is still more affordable than many other universities, coming in at $375 per credit hour.

The university also features financial aid and many scholarships, including a scholarship for incoming freshman that could allow them a full year of college for free.

Portland Community College

Portland Community College is another college in Oregon that is a great choice for completing an associate degree or certificate as well as preparing to transfer to a four-year university.

Additionally, the college offers many classes online, making them more accessible and convenient for students, as well as cutting down on cost, commute time, etc.

Portland Community College is also extremely affordable. Courses are only $128 per credit hour, and the estimated cost of a full-time schedule for an in-state student is $2100 per term.

The college also offers financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans.

How to Make College Free

While even affordable degrees can feel like an impossible cost, there are many potential options to alleviate or even eliminate the cost of a college education.

Apply for Grants

Grants are an extremely valuable resource for paying for college. They are typically need-based and do not need to be repaid. This means that if you cannot afford a college education, you may qualify for grants to cover the cost.

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are also very important. Like grants, they also do not need to be repaid. However, scholarships are often merit-based, meaning they can be earned by achieving certain accomplishments such as a high GPA.

Thousands of scholarships exist, both merit and need-based, so there are many opportunities to apply for them.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Another great option for helping to pay for college is tuition assistance from an employer. Many companies now offer incentive programs for employees that will help pay tuition for a college education.

Companies like Starbucks, McDonald's, Target, and many, many more offer tuition reimbursement programs.

Look into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Some institutions offer tuition and fee waivers to those who qualify. Typically, these are based on a student's income. Students who are interested should inquire at their university to see if waivers are offered.

Find a Free or Low-cost Degree in Oregon Today

While the cost of a college education can be a large challenge to overcome, many opportunities exist to get a low-cost, affordable education. Additionally, many avenues of assistance are available to pay for college. Find a free or low-cost degree in Oregon today.