Oregon Didn’t Hit Its 2025 Workforce Readiness Goal but Student Enrollment Is Finally Rising
Enrollment at Oregon public universities and community colleges increased by 1.5% last year, raising optimism that educators will reach their goal of creating a more skilled and productive workforce to bolster state tax coffers.
According to a report by the Higher Education Coordination Commission (HECC), increased enrollment at universities and community colleges was similar, with 99,600 students at universities, and 98,400 at community colleges.
However, universities enrolled 0.6% fewer students than the previous year, while community colleges increased their intake by 3.7%.
Continuing its decade-long trend of increasing student numbers, the state’s largest public university, the Oregon State University, increased its student tally by 360 (0.9%), for a total of 38,485. The university now has 26.4% more students than a decade ago.
The state’s second-largest public university, the University of Oregon, enrolled 14 fewer students for a total tally of 24,448.
Portland State University Enrolled 773 Fewer Students
Portland State University, Oregon’s third-largest public university, enrolled 773 fewer students for a tally of 19,697, representing a 29.8% student loss over the last decade.
| Public university | Fall 2024 | Fall 2025 | Change | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | 38,125 | 38,485 | Up 360 | Up 0.9% |
| University of Oregon | 24,462 | 24,448 | Down 14 | Down 0.1% |
| Portland State University | 20,470 | 19,697 | Down 773 | Down 3.8% |
| Southern Oregon University | 5,129 | 5,206 | Up 77 | Up 1.5% |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | 5,302 | 5,444 | Up 142 | Up 2.7% |
| Western Oregon University | 3,823 | 3,626 | Down 197 | Down 5.2% |
| Eastern Oregon University | 2,894 | 2,704 | Down 190 | Down 6.6% |
Enrollment figures at smaller public universities have also been mixed.
Increasing in size is the Oregon Institute of Technology with 2.7%, and Southern Oregon University, with 1.5% more students.
However, enrollment dipped by 5.2% at Western Oregon University and by 6.6% at Eastern Oregon University.
Student losses at smaller universities have been ongoing since the pandemic, with the exception of Oregon Tech, where student numbers have increased by 13.7%.
Double-digit declines were suffered at all of Oregon’s other smaller universities.
Student Intake at Community Colleges Bolstered Percentages
Community colleges played a significant role in bolstering enrollment in higher education, continuing growth patterns since 2023.
Portland Community College, the largest in the state, added 1,926 students, a 6.7% growth rate, totalling 30,548 students.
Double-digit enrollment increases were also recorded at Linn-Benton (23.7%), Oregon Coast (18%), Blue Mountain (16%), and Tillamook Bay (15.3%).
Community colleges with double-digit enrollment losses: Clatsop with a 35% student loss, and Columbia Gorge, down by 13.9%.
Oregon Failed to Achieve its 40-40-20 Target by 2025
In 2011, educators had previously set a goal of 40-40-20 to be reached by 2025. This is divided into 40% of young Oregonians obtaining a 4-year degree, a further 40% a 2-year degree or similar credential, with the remaining 20% graduated with a high school diploma or GED.
Source: HECC 2025 Key Performance Measures summary / ACS 1 year estimates (education attainment, age 25 to 34)
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Progress towards this goal is tracked by Oregon’s HECC. Last October, the HECC revealed that the state was at 39-18-20. This translates to 39% of students obtaining a 4-year degree, 18% a 2-year degree, and 20% at the target level for graduating high school.
Governor Tina Kotek said in 2022 that a 90% high school graduation rate was the target Oregon should strive to achieve by 2027. Last year, Kotek said her goal was more achievable, and her prediction that the state is on track to achieve her goal has proved realistic.