Best Machine Learning Degree Programs in Oregon — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Oregon residents pursuing machine learning degrees have access to multiple funding pathways designed to reduce out-of-pocket education costs. The primary state-level aid program is the Oregon Opportunity Grant, a need-based grant program exclusively for Oregon residents attending eligible institutions. This grant complements federal aid options, including loans and work-study opportunities available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All Oregon students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, and other federal aid programs that can significantly reduce overall borrowing costs.

Key Programs & Amounts

Individual institutions in Oregon offer additional merit-based and need-based scholarships to machine learning students. Oregon State University, the state's leading ML program with 1,036 completions, and Portland State University, with 268 completions, both provide institutional aid packages to qualifying students. Community colleges in Oregon, such as Mt Hood Community College and Chemeketa Community College, offer tuition rates starting as low as $4,392 annually, making them excellent entry points for students considering the Oregon Transfer Module, which enables seamless transfer of general education credits to four-year institutions. For detailed information on all available aid options, prospective students should consult the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and explore institution-specific financial aid offices.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a machine learning 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.

Oregon hosts several major employers actively recruiting machine learning talent across diverse sectors. Providence Health, Intel, Nike, and OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) represent significant employers leveraging machine learning for healthcare innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, athletic technology, and medical research respectively. These organizations are concentrated primarily in the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley regions, creating strong career markets for graduates of nearby institutions. The BLS occupational data for Oregon tracks employment trends across these sectors, providing insights into salary ranges and job growth projections. Machine learning professionals in Oregon can explore career opportunities spanning healthcare informatics, supply chain optimization, consumer analytics, and advanced manufacturing.

Educational partnerships between employers and Oregon's top-ranked programs strengthen career outcomes. Oregon State University's machine learning program leads the state with 1,036 program completions, positioning graduates for employment with major corporations. Similarly, Portland State University with 268 completions maintains strong industry connections in the Portland Metro area where Intel and Nike maintain significant operations. University of Oregon contributes 17 completions focused on research and applied machine learning. For comprehensive salary and employment data, prospective students should consult the College Scorecard and BLS resources to evaluate return on educational investment and career advancement potential across Oregon's employer landscape.

State Transfer System

Oregon offers robust transfer pathways for students pursuing machine learning degrees across institution types. The state's Oregon Transfer Module is a statewide system that enables seamless credit transfer of general education requirements between institutions, eliminating redundant coursework and accelerating degree completion. Students can begin their machine learning education at one of Oregon's 7 community colleges offering associate's degrees in machine learning, then transfer directly to bachelor's programs at four-year institutions. Mt Hood Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Linn-Benton Community College, Central Oregon Community College, and Clackamas Community College provide affordable, high-quality foundational coursework at costs ranging from $4,392 to $5,817 annually (IPEDS).

How Transfers Work

Articulation agreements between Oregon community colleges and universities streamline the transition to bachelor's programs. Students completing an associate's degree in machine learning can transfer up to 90 credits toward bachelor's degrees at institutions like Oregon State University, Portland State University, and University of Oregon, reducing both time to degree and overall education costs. This pathway proves particularly valuable for working professionals and students from underrepresented backgrounds seeking affordable entry into tech careers. The Oregon Opportunity Grant provides additional need-based financial support for eligible Oregon residents throughout their transfer journey. For students seeking alternative formats, online bachelor's programs and most affordable programs offer flexibility. Consult your community college advisor about transfer requirements and explore computer science in Oregon programs that may complement your machine learning focus.

Industry & Workforce

Oregon has established itself as a hub for machine learning education and innovation, with 21 institutions offering machine learning programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state's strong academic foundation is anchored by leading universities like Oregon State University, which leads the nation in machine learning completions with 1,036 graduates, followed by Portland State University with 268 completions. These numbers reflect Oregon's commitment to preparing students for careers in one of the fastest-growing fields in technology. Whether you're pursuing an associate's degree in machine learning or a doctoral program, Oregon institutions provide comprehensive pathways to expertise.

Salary Outlook

Oregon's strategic location within the Pacific Northwest technology corridor offers unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and career placement. Major employers including Intel, Nike, Providence Health, and Oregon Health & Science University actively recruit machine learning graduates, creating a robust job market for skilled professionals. The state's affordability stands out: public four-year institutions charge an average of $9,555 in-state tuition, significantly lower than the national average (College Scorecard). Students can access additional support through the Oregon Opportunity Grant, a need-based financial aid program for eligible residents. Explore related fields like artificial intelligence in Oregon and data science in Oregon to build a comprehensive technical skillset.

Employment Outlook

Oregon's machine learning job market is experiencing significant growth, driven by a diverse economy spanning technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. The state's major metropolitan areas—Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Eugene-Springfield, and Salem—represent key employment hubs for machine learning professionals. According to BLS occupational data, Oregon's tech sector continues to expand, with opportunities concentrated in the Portland Metro area where major technology companies and established corporations are expanding their data science capabilities. The state's machine learning programs are preparing graduates to meet this demand, with 1,137 bachelor's degree completions reported across 8 institutions in 2023, indicating robust pipeline development.

Salaries by Metro

Career pathways in Oregon are strengthened by the state's transfer-friendly education system. The Oregon Transfer Module enables seamless progression from associate's to bachelor's programs, allowing students to start at community colleges offering machine learning training before transferring to four-year institutions. This pathway is particularly valuable given that 7 associate's programs produced 25 completions in 2023, offering affordable entry points with average costs around $4,500–$6,000 annually. For prospective students, exploring Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission resources provides comprehensive labor market insights aligned with state economic priorities. Graduates can also leverage Federal Student Aid and Oregon Opportunity Grants to manage education costs while building machine learning expertise.

Core Requirements

Machine learning curricula in Oregon programs typically combine foundational computer science with specialized training in algorithms, statistical methods, and practical applications. Core coursework across bachelor's and master's programs includes machine learning fundamentals, deep learning, supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, natural language processing, computer vision, and data preprocessing. Oregon State University and Portland State University, the top-ranked bachelor's programs, emphasize hands-on projects and real-world applications alongside theoretical foundations. Students engage with industry-standard tools and frameworks including Python, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, and PyTorch. Most bachelor's programs require capstone projects where students develop end-to-end machine learning solutions, often in collaboration with industry partners or faculty research teams.

Degree Pathways

Master's programs at institutions like Oregon State University add advanced specializations such as reinforcement learning, probabilistic graphical models, and machine learning systems design. Doctoral students at research-focused institutions conduct original research contributing to algorithmic innovations or novel applications. Elective coursework allows specialization in domains like healthcare AI, autonomous systems, or financial technology. Oregon programs benefit from partnerships with major technology employers and research institutions throughout the state, providing internship opportunities and guest lectures from industry practitioners. Explore complementary programs in data science in Oregon and data analytics in Oregon to develop broader analytical capabilities. Compare Oregon's offerings with national best bachelor's programs to understand how local institutions rank globally.

Online Program Growth

Oregon students have limited but growing online machine learning options. Linfield University currently offers the primary online bachelor's degree in machine learning within the state, with tuition at $49,810. For students seeking fully remote education, online programs provide flexibility to balance studies with employment or family commitments while maintaining access to Oregon-based faculty expertise. However, most machine learning programs in Oregon—particularly at Oregon State University, Portland State University, and University of Oregon—are offered primarily through campus-based instruction, which allows for hands-on laboratory work, direct mentorship, and networking with industry professionals in major tech hubs like Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro. Campus-based programs benefit from proximity to major employers such as Intel, Nike, and Providence Health, creating internship and employment opportunities that online-only formats may not replicate as effectively.

Accredited Online Options

For prospective students evaluating flexibility, Oregon's community colleges and universities increasingly offer hybrid learning models that combine in-person and remote instruction. This approach allows students to access advanced machine learning coursework while maintaining work schedules or caregiving responsibilities. The choice between online and campus instruction should consider your learning style, career goals, and access to industry networking. If flexibility is your priority, compare Linfield's online bachelor's option with campus alternatives at most affordable programs like Portland State University ($8,694) and Eastern Oregon University ($8,618). For students in related fields, explore Data Science in Oregon and Artificial Intelligence in Oregon programs, many of which also offer hybrid delivery models to accommodate diverse student needs.

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro stands as Oregon's premier technology hub, hosting Intel operations in Hillsboro and Nike headquarters in Beaverton, creating concentrated demand for machine learning expertise. The Portland Metro area also anchors several top-ranked machine learning programs: Oregon State University (Corvallis, Willamette Valley), Portland State University (Portland), and University of Portland (38 completions) all contribute talent to the region's technology ecosystem. With average public in-state tuition at $9,555 and out-of-state at $26,691, Oregon's cost structure remains competitive. Portland itself offers urban amenities, growing startup culture, and established tech company presence, making it attractive for machine learning career development. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area, home to the University of Oregon, provides a complementary tech corridor with research-focused opportunities in machine learning applications.

Salem and Central Oregon represent emerging opportunities for machine learning professionals. The state capital region supports healthcare and government sectors increasingly adopting machine learning solutions, while Central Oregon (Bend area) attracts tech talent seeking quality of life alongside career growth. For students prioritizing affordability, Oregon's public universities offer compelling value: Eastern Oregon University at **$8,618**, Portland State University at $8,694, and Western Oregon University at $9,000 provide accessible pathways to machine learning careers. Community colleges throughout the state—including Mt Hood Community College in the Portland Metro area—offer cost-effective associate's programs ($4,392 average tuition) enabling workforce entry and transfer to four-year programs. Prospective students can explore Computer Science programs and Data Science opportunities to identify location-specific pathways aligned with career goals.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.