What are the best Oregon colleges? (Portland, Salem: schools, universities, rankings)

[Wacosux85]

I want to major in Speech Communications. In addition, I want to be a DJ. I just wanted to know what colleges, universities, and vocational schools will allow me to follow my desired paths? Your help will be much appreciated.

[Hans64]

Your subject heading doesn't really relate to your real question. Let me explain: if someone were to ask me what Oregon college is the "best" in strict academic terms I would say Reed. It is by far the most intellectuallydemanding (as well as very expensive). That being said it may not meet your needs as Reed is a liberal arts college and the majority of grads go on to highly rated graduate schools. A major like Speech Communication can be had at any state school, so your best bet would be to explore those rankings thoroughly. My point is that the "best" school may not be the best for you--you really need to analyze your own needs and resources. Good luck.

[Oregonbeachlover]

Another one which usually makes it to the top ranking on the U.S. News and World Reports annual college rankings is Linfield College in McMinnville.

[dachmom]

Another one which usually makes it to the top ranking on the U.S. News and World Reports annual college rankings is Linfield College in McMinnville.

As a Linfield Alumni, I have to agree Linfield is a nice private college (more expensive than the state schools) that is smaller than the big state schools so the student:teacher ratio is smaller. They have a great website, check them out.

[Blindtom]

Willamette in Salem is also a good school.

[esya]

I agree with Hans64--as a parent who just went through this twice, plus friends, Reed would be top on my list. However for your chosen field, I would pick a larger school in one of Oregon's cities that has established connections with radio/TV/sound studies. Probably it would be in Portland. As far as value, I do know that when I was looking for similar schools for my youngest (same interests) that Ball State and some midwest schools came up as good values with those degrees. That data can be found in the ranking books you can check out of the local library. Since I could not interest her in Oregon (no accounting for the tastes of the inexperienced!) I did not go to that level of detail.