Skip to content

Lewis & Clark College vs Oregon State University

Lewis & Clark College is a private college in Portland, OR, and Oregon State University is a public university in Corvallis, OR. Oregon State University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 77% of applicants against 78% at Lewis & Clark College. Oregon State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $19,604 a year against $36,013 at Lewis & Clark College. About 73% of students graduate at Lewis & Clark College, compared with 70% at Oregon State University. Ten years after enrolling, Oregon State University alumni earn a median of about $64,010, against $62,205 for Lewis & Clark College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, OR · Private

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Portland, OR
Corvallis, OR
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
2,120
30,743
Acceptance rate
78%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–3.99
~3.7 avg
SAT (middle 50%)
1210–1390
1140–1400
ACT (middle 50%)
28–31
24–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,013
$19,604
Full cost / yr
$79,987
$31,653
In-state tuition
$64,828
$14,400
Out-of-state tuition
$64,828
$38,190
Application fee
$0
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,962
$12,107
$30k - $48k
$18,362
$13,036
$48k - $75k
$22,712
$15,729
$75k - $110k
$25,917
$20,262
Over $110k
$44,990
$27,459
Outcomes
Graduation rate
73%
70%
Freshman retention
89%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,608
$50,843
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,205
$64,010
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
$21,221
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
23%
First-generation students
17%
31%
International students
6%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 2
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University harder to get into?
Oregon State University is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 78% at Lewis & Clark College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University?
Oregon State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,604 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,013 at Lewis & Clark College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Lewis & Clark College and Oregon State University?
Before aid, Oregon State University costs about $31,653 a year and Lewis & Clark College about $79,987. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University?
Oregon State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,107 there, against about $15,962 at Lewis & Clark College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University?
Oregon State University is the larger of the two, with about 30,743 undergraduates against 2,120 at Lewis & Clark College.
Does Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University have a better graduation rate?
Lewis & Clark College has the higher graduation rate, at about 73% against 70% at Oregon State University.
Do graduates of Lewis & Clark College or Oregon State University earn more?
Oregon State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,010 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,205 for Lewis & Clark College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Lewis & Clark College and Oregon State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Lewis & Clark College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Oregon State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Lewis & Clark College and Oregon State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1210–1390 at Lewis & Clark College and 1140–1400 at Oregon State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school