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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: Oregon Institute of Techn..., George Fox, Warner Pacific
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,140 to $40,220/year
Portland Community College offers the most affordable option at $4,608/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 7 associate's in Oregon
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
Oregon community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
7 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Intel, Nike, Salesforce, Autodesk
Tech hubs in Portland and Beaverton
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 33+ cities across Oregon
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 27, 2026
How we ranked Oregon Information Security programs
We rank 11 accredited information security programs in Oregon using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Information Security Degree Programs in Oregon Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in Oregon
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in Oregon by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in Oregon
Program Landscape
Oregon offers 7 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Portland Community College, Lane Community College, Mt Hood Community College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Oregon offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $4,724/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $58,119 in Oregon.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Oregon's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Intel, Nike, Salesforce hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information security schools in Oregon, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in Oregon.
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in Oregon
Program Landscape
Oregon ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 4 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Oregon Institute of Techn..., George Fox, Warner Pacific, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Oregon information security programs earn a median salary of $89,820, 9% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Intel, Nike, Salesforce.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $8,618 to $40,220 annually, with an average of $19,845/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 75%, with the highest reaching 75%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Oregon's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in Oregon, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in Oregon
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $10,223/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $25,558/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,556/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $61,340 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $15,334 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in Oregon
State Aid Programs
Oregon residents pursuing Information Security degrees have access to strong financial aid opportunities tailored to support higher education affordability. The Oregon Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant program exclusively for Oregon residents attending eligible institutions, providing direct financial support that doesn't require repayment (Oregon Opportunity Grant). This state-specific aid complements federal funding options available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens doors to grants, loans, and work-study programs regardless of state residency (Federal Student Aid).
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal aid, Oregon's 12 institutions offering Information Security programs provide institutional scholarships and financial packages to qualified students. Many community colleges, including Portland Community College and Mt Hood Community College, offer significantly lower tuition rates compared to four-year universities, making them cost-effective entry points for Information Security study. For detailed financial aid guidance, prospective students should visit the College Scorecard to compare aid packages across Oregon schools and explore best affordable Information Security programs nationally for additional funding insights.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, Oregon
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in Oregon. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a information security degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+854%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,580,373
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$112,500
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Information Security Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Oregon metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Portland | $116K |
| Beaverton | $111K |
| Hillsboro | $106K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in Oregon
Oregon hosts several major employers actively hiring information security professionals across diverse sectors. Providence Health, Intel, Nike, OHSU, and Oregon Health & Science University represent the state's largest and most prominent employers in technology and security-related roles. These organizations operate across multiple Oregon regions, with significant concentrations in the Portland metro area and surrounding tech corridors. Intel's presence in Hillsboro and Nike's headquarters in Beaverton make the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area one of the nation's strongest tech employment centers, creating strong opportunities for information security graduates.
Healthcare and technology sectors drive much of Oregon's information security hiring demand. Providence Health and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) require extensive security expertise to protect sensitive patient data and comply with regulatory requirements, creating consistent positions for security professionals. Intel and Nike, as global technology and consumer goods leaders, maintain sophisticated security operations protecting intellectual property and customer information. Career seekers can research current openings and labor market data through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Oregon data and explore academic pathways via top-ranked programs like Oregon State University's bachelor's program and related opportunities in information technology in Oregon and cloud computing in Oregon.
Transfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in Oregon
State Transfer System
Oregon's transfer system is designed to help seamless progression from community college to four-year universities, supporting affordable pathways into information security careers. The Oregon Transfer Module enables students to complete general education requirements at 8 associate's degree institutions, including Portland Community College (87 completions), Lane Community College (22 completions), and Mt Hood Community College (16 completions), and transfer all credits directly to bachelor's degree programs. This structured pathway reduces time to degree completion and minimizes loss of credits, making education more affordable and accessible. Students beginning at community colleges benefit from lower tuition costs while completing core coursework before transitioning to four-year institutions.
How Transfers Work
Articulation agreements between Oregon's community colleges and universities like Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and Portland State University ensure that students' information security coursework transfers with full credit toward bachelor's degrees. Students can complete Associate's degree programs at institutions such as Chemeketa Community College ($4,545 tuition) or Mt Hood Community College ($4,392 tuition) before advancing to bachelor's programs, reducing overall costs significantly. The Oregon Opportunity Grant provides need-based financial aid to Oregon residents attending eligible institutions, further supporting transfer students. For additional context, explore Cloud Computing in Oregon and Network Administration in Oregon to identify complementary programs that may align with transfer agreements and career advancement pathways.
Why Pursue an Information Security Degree in Oregon?
Industry & Workforce
Oregon offers a strong pathway into information security with 12 institutions currently offering programs across the state (IPEDS). The state supports both accessible community college entry points, with 8 associate's degree programs, and rigorous bachelor's and master's degrees through its public and private universities. In 2023, Oregon institutions awarded 142 completions at the associate's level alone, reflecting strong enrollment and completion trends in cybersecurity and information security fields. Major cities including Portland, Eugene, Salem, and Corvallis serve as regional hubs for technology employment and innovation, providing students with diverse internship and career networking opportunities.
Salary Outlook
Oregon's top-ranked institutions for information security include Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and Portland State University, all offering competitive tuition rates compared to national averages. The state's average public four-year in-state tuition of $9,555 makes education affordable for residents, while Oregon's major employers, including Intel, Nike, Providence Health, and Oregon Health & Science University, actively recruit graduates with information security credentials. Students interested in related fields should explore Cybersecurity in Oregon and Network Administration in Oregon for complementary program options. For national context, prospective students can compare Oregon programs against National Best Information Security Programs and Most Affordable Programs Nationwide.
Oregon's Tech Ecosystem
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, Oregon Business, Silicon Forest
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in Oregon
Employment Outlook
Oregon's information security job market is experiencing steady growth, supported by a strong technology sector and increasing cybersecurity demand across industries. The state's major metropolitan areas. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Eugene-Springfield, and Salem, serve as primary employment hubs for security professionals. Portland metro, in particular, is a significant tech center, attracting talent and creating diverse career opportunities in information security roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oregon's job market reflects national trends showing strong demand for cybersecurity expertise across sectors including healthcare, technology, and government.
Salaries by Metro
The state supports 12 institutions offering information security programs across 4 bachelor's degree programs and 8 associate's degree programs, producing a consistent pipeline of qualified professionals (IPEDS). With average public in-state tuition at $9,555 for four-year institutions, Oregon offers competitive pathways into the field. Career prospects are enhanced by Oregon's transfer system, the Oregon Transfer Module, which enables seamless credit movement between community colleges and universities, allowing students to build credentials cost-effectively before pursuing bachelor's degrees in information security. For broader context on national opportunities, explore best information security bachelor's programs nationally and compare with related fields like cybersecurity in Oregon and network administration in Oregon.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Information Security Programs in Oregon
Online Programs
0 available in Oregon
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $4,300
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $1,300
- Total Programs
- 4
- Median Tuition
- $3,700
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $4,700
- Total Programs
- 48
- Median Tuition
- $6,200
- Total Programs
- 57
- Median Tuition
- $17,800
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $44,500
- Total Programs
- 23
- Median Tuition
- $15,000
Information Security Degree Programs in Oregon: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in Oregon?
How much do information security degree programs cost in Oregon?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in Oregon?
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Is an information security degree program worth it in Oregon?
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What financial aid is available for information security degree students in Oregon?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Oregon salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.