Oregon State University vs Eastern Oregon University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Oregon State University holds a 32-point ROI advantage over Eastern Oregon University, scoring 75/100 versus 43/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Eastern Oregon University comes in at $17,148 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,604 at Oregon State University - a difference of $2,456 annually, or roughly $9,824 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Oregon State University graduates earn a median of $64,010 compared to $50,112 at Eastern Oregon University. The payback period is 7.5 years at Oregon State University versus 13.8 years at Eastern Oregon University.
Graduates leave Eastern Oregon University with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,221 at Oregon State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.50 and 0.57 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Oregon State University | Eastern Oregon University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,400 | $11,076 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,190 | $25,431 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,604 | $17,148 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $78,416 | $68,592 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $36,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,010 | $50,112 |
| Graduation Rate | 70.1% | 43.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.5 yr | 13.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,221 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $225 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.50 | 0.57 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.2% | 63.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.9% | 56.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.3% | 98.3% |
| Enrollment | 30,743 | 2,172 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Oregon State Univers... | Eastern Oregon Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,107 | $12,563 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,036 | $11,150 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,729 | $14,208 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,262 | $22,566 |
| $110,001+ | $27,459 | $21,835 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Oregon State Univers... | Eastern Oregon Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,660 | $59,066 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,096 | $56,013 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $56,074 | $60,706 |
| Psychology | $57,650 | $47,816 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,451 | $50,279 |
| Biology | $47,221 | $35,435 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Oregon State Univers... | Eastern Oregon Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 78 | 48 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 79 | 41 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 74 | 59 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 78 | 26 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 58 | 23 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 43 |
The Verdict
Oregon State University significantly outperforms Eastern Oregon University on financial ROI (75 vs 43). The 32-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Eastern Oregon University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Oregon State University.
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Oregon State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Eastern Oregon University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.