15 Military Friendly Colleges in Oregon

1Oregon State University
1500 SW Jefferson Ave | Corvallis, OR 97331

Oregon State University (OSU) is the first military friendly school in Oregon on our list. It has over 800 students who got GI Bill benefits. ​OSU offers priority registration to students using veterans’ educational benefits. The Beaver Vet Community is the Student Veterans Association on campus. Also, the Military and Veteran Resources Center is worth checking out. It has computers, plus a tutoring and group study area. And, there is a Veterans’ Lounge.

OSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 200 undergrad students up to $3,000 each, per year, and 10 grad students up to $4,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 88%, while the rate for part time students is 78%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,554
Grad: $9,356

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 988
Grad: 94

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 78%

2 Portland State University
724 SW Harrison St | Portland, OR 97201

Portland State University (PSU) has a dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service members, and their families. This can be found at the Veterans Resource Center. The school also participates in the VetSuccess on Campus program with a counselor available to aid and support. Viking Vets is the Student Veteran Association on campus.

PSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 81%. And, the rate for part time students is 64%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,514
Grad: $11,786

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 464
Grad: 101

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 64%

3 Central Oregon Community College

2600 NW College Way, Bend, Oregon 97703

Central Oregon Community College offers professional-technical programs, transfer areas, continuing education, career pathways and study abroad options. The college is proud to serve veterans and their dependents. You could find the Veterans Certifying Official in the Boyle Education Center on the Bend Campus.

If you are a student veteran, an Oregon resident, and unable to complete your academic/degree program due to scheduling issues, you might apply for the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. COCC also offers tuition waivers to those who meet the criteria for eligibility.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $18,162
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 291
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 55%

4 Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97219-7132

Portland Community College offers programs in arts, business, construction, health care, public service and STEM areas. Some of them could provide transfer credits to a university and others, prep to pursue a job after you graduate.

The Cascade Veterans Resource Center is offers free services and a virtual space to socialize with fellow students. Also available is the Veterans Benefits. Office. It is the place to go to help with the use of VA education benefits and register for classes.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,248
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 538
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 72%

5 University of Oregon
110 Johnson Hall | Eugene, OR 97403

At University of Oregon (UO), the Office of Veterans Affairs helps eligible student veterans, reservists and dependents obtain educational benefits. The Student Veterans Center serves as a resource for student veterans with study and meeting space. And, Veterans and Family Student Association is another great resource. It’s a student organization that offers support to veterans.

UO participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 200 students up to $2,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 90%, while the rate for part time students is 60%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $11,752
Grad: $25,483

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 257
Grad: 37

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 60%

6 Rogue Community College
3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527-9291

Rogue Community College offers in-person and online/remote learning. There are 2-year degrees and transfers in many STEM areas including cyber security. You could also study a trade like welding, public service, health professions, business, education or arts/humanities.

As a military learner, the RCC Veteran Services Department provides a safe and professional setting for student veterans, dependents, college community, and external partners. The staff is there to guide, mentor and advise you both with academic and career decisions.

RCC has in the past, been designated a Military Friendly School. There is a Student Veterans Association and many policies that support this. Including the school’s participation in the Principles of Excellence Program, Green Zone and priority registration.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,504
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 135
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 71%

7 Lane Community College

4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene, Oregon 97405-0640

Lane Community College offers a wide range of programs on campus as well as in flexible hybrid and online formats. As an eligible military student, you could use your VA education benefits to offset the costs of your studies.

The Maxwell Student Veteran Center is another service available for you. It is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for veterans to study, relax, chat with other veterans, and obtain campus or community veteran resources.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,651
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 115
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 36%

8University of Portland
5000 N Willamette Blvd | Portland, OR 97203

University of Portland (UP) has a dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, service members, and their families.

UP participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 55 undergrad students up to $13,750 each, per year. And, 10 grad students get up to $5,500 each, per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: 20,548
Grad: $20,567

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 48
Grad: 11

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

9 Oregon Institute of Technology
3201 Campus Drive | Klamath Falls, OR 97601

Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) waives the admission fee for military members and veterans. The Students Veterans Program (SVP) is dedicated to the needs of any veteran, Active Duty, reservist, and dependent. And, the Veteran’s Lounge provides a relaxing atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with other student veterans. There, you’ll also find network computers, printers, and private study stations.

OIT participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 73%. The rate for part time students is 20%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,081
Grad: $6,846

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 130
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 20%

10 Clackamas Community College
19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, Oregon 97045-8980

Clackamas Community College offers one-year certificates and two-year technical degrees. You could begin working on a bachelor’s degree before transferring to a university.

In 2019, the school ranked the #6 “Best for Vets” two-year school in the nation by Military Times. The college has also earned a “Military Friendly” designation nine years in a row from Victory Media.

To help you get started, you could talk to a veterans expert in the school’s award-winning Veterans Education and Training (VET) center. Here you could learn how to use VA benefits including your basic allowance for housing.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,171
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 116
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 53%

11 Klamath Community College

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $22,079
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 84
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: 60%

12 Western Oregon University
345 North Monmouth Ave | Monmouth, OR 97361

Western Oregon University (WOU) waives the application fee for military members and veterans. WOU SVA is the on-campus chapter of Student Veterans of America. The Veterans Connection Program welcomes and helps mentor students who have served in the military. And, the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) promotes retention and graduation of student veterans.

WOU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 500 students up to $500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 90%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,675
Grad: $7,993

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 75
Grad: 8

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: N/A

13 Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd | Ashland, OR 97520

Southern Oregon University (SOU) provides cutting edge services to veterans, military students, and their families. The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is a space for networking and connection. It offers computer stations, tutoring resources, and a place to relax.

Like many military friendly colleges in Oregon, SOU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 100 students up to $7,230 each, per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who got military benefits is 78%. This rate for part time students is 20%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,270
Grad: $9,024

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 60
Grad: 13

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 20%

14 Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, Oregon 97030

MHCC has an open-entry admissions policy. The school was also named a Military Friendly institution for the 2018-19 school year by the Military Friendly School Survey.

The Mt. Hood Community College Veteran Services Office is there to help veterans of military service, those who still actively serve and their family members. As a student at MHCC, the office is the go-to for academic advising, VA benefits counseling, advocacy, and more.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,694
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 142
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 76%
Part Time: 58%

15 Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, Oregon 97305

Chemeketa offers short-term trainings, transfer degrees and credential programs that may help you start a career.

The school also features small class settings and veterans services. Support is available via the Veterans Services office. It provides information about eligibility, admission, financial aid, GI Bill® and many other important college resources 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,195
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 129
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 77%