Best Online Colleges in Oregon

Benefits of Studying Online in Oregon

In the far Northwest corner of the United States lies the 27th largest state by population, Oregon (4.2 million people). The state’s capitol is Salem and its largest city, Portland, is widely known for its craft beer, coffee, and vibrant culture. It’s estimated that the state was named after the Oregon River (which later became known as the Columbia River), and the nickname given to it is the “Beaver State.” In terms of land mass, it’s the the 9th largest state in the US, with just under 100,000 square miles of total area.

Employment Stats

The economic landscape in Oregon is quite competitive, boasting more than 1.9 million employed workers at the end of 2022, which ranks it 25th amongst all US states. It accounted for 1.29% of the nation’s employed population, a figure that was enhanced by the 84.9 thousand new jobs added since 2021 (when the total was 1.8 million). This change of 4.47% made Oregon the 3rd fastest growing state by employed persons. Remarkably, when compared to the median, Oregon actually had the exact same number at the end of last year (1.8 million). That being said, when looking at it on a percentage basis, it was just a 0.27% difference (Oregon was 5,000 jobs ahead).

So while Oregon had the 7th smallest margin of difference when compared to the median state employed, it just barely beat out Kentucky (which came in at 1.97 million employed and was ranked 26th). On the other hand, Oregon was also compared to Alabama, who was ranked 24th with 2.1 million employed workers. This means that Alabama was 116,000 jobs ahead of Oregon, which was a 5.5% difference in favor of Alabama. That being said, Oregon still came in significantly short of the nation’s leader in terms of total employed (California) with a difference of -89%. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the state of Oregon is consistently producing more jobs than the national median, and with it's low population % of the nation, this disparity is likely to increase.

Job Opportunities

Oregon is a great place to study due to its moderate climate and thriving job market. The state offers 748 unique job types (ranked 18th nationally), giving it a 3.6% edge over the national median of 722. That means there’s an extra 26 job types to choose from, many of which will be specific to the state itself. As far as the quality of jobs, Oregon is home to many Fortune 500 companies, including Nike, Intel and Columbia Sportswear. The state also offers a number of good universities, ranging from smaller community colleges to larger nationally recognized universities. The highest ranked university in the state is the University of Oregon, but other notable universities include Portland State University, Oregon State University and Lewis & Clark College.

The state is home to many specialty fields, due to its unique geography. From winemaking to lumber production, there are a number of opportunities to explore and gain experience in. Additionally, the state is home to some of the most beautiful natural wonders that the US has to offer, so if you’re looking for a place to get away from campus life and explore, Oregon is the place to be. Its countless hiking trails, picturesque forests and stunning coastline make it a top destination for outdoor recreation.

All in all, Oregon is an incredibly diverse state, and one that offers plenty of opportunities for students to explore, whether it’s for an internship or for a full-time job. With the median job quantity coming in at 1,825,370, there’s always something new to discover in the Beaver state.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)