The Best Business Schools in Portland for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Schools in Portland
- Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ranks #1 in the Portland area on an 84.0 Program Score, with a 100% graduation rate.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Portland State University, ranks #6.
- Programs analyzed
- 54
- Schools ranked
- 6
- Tuition range
- $9,114-$56,800
- Average graduation rate
- 71%
We analyzed 54 accredited business programs in Portland and the surrounding metro and ranked 6 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 6 ranked schools runs from $9,114 to $56,800 a year, a $47,686 spread for the same credential.
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies leads with an 84 Program Score on a 100% graduation rate, at $14,640 a year. Across all 6 ranked business schools in Portland the average graduation rate is 71%, ranging from 49% to 100%. 1 of the 6 are public and 5 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
How the Top Business Schools in Portland Compare
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies leads at 84.0, and Portland State closes the chart at 76.8. Longer bars rank higher.
How We Rank Business Schools in Portland
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 6 Best Business Schools in Portland, Ranked for 2027
The 6 best Business Schools in Portland, ranked by outcomes.
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
Portland, OR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 100%
- Admit rate
- 59%
- In-state
- $14,640
- Out-of-state
- $14,640
A 48-credit in-person Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with four emphasis options and a required internship.
- 100% graduation rate
- Program Score 84
- $14,640 in-state tuition
- Four emphasis options
Warner Pacific University offers an in-person Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Portland through its business school. The major is 48 credits inside a 120-credit degree, with 16 credits in residence and 22 upper-division credits. Core courses run from financial accounting, marketing and business law to organizational behavior, global business and research methods, and an internship preparation course leads into a required internship of 1 to 6 credits. Students can add one of four 54-credit emphases: healthcare administration, human resource management, entrepreneurship, or leadership/management. Each student builds a personalized plan with an academic advisor, with transfer credit counted. The school describes itself as Christ-centered and reports a 2.5 minimum high school GPA for traditional applicants.
Federal data shows a 100% graduation rate and a 59% admit rate. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same, $14,640. The Program Score of 84 is the basis of the ranking of this program. The program fits traditional-age students who want a small campus, a defined internship and a choice of focus, and transfer students can bring credit in with a 2.0 minimum transfer GPA.
University of Portland
Portland, OR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 80%
- Admit rate
- 89%
- In-state
- $56,800
- Out-of-state
- $56,800
A BBA in Accounting with CPA concentrations and a 4+1 BBA/MBA route that meets the 150-credit-hour requirement, taught in classes averaging 17 students.
- 80% graduation rate
- Program Score 82
- $56,800 tuition
- 4+1 BBA/MBA for CPA hours
The University of Portland offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in its School of Business. Students build a business foundation in leadership, marketing, public speaking and innovation, then take accounting courses in auditing, taxation, fraud and forensics, and advanced accounting. Those aiming for certification can choose concentrations in CPA tax, CPA business analytics or corporate accounting, and others can tailor electives to their goals. The 4+1 BBA/MBA program awards both degrees in five years and, according to the school, meets the 150-credit-hour CPA requirement in Oregon and most other states. The page reports an average accounting class size of 17 and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and it lists a student accounting association and a Professional Preparation Program built into coursework.
Federal figures show an 80% graduation rate and an 89% admit rate. Tuition is $56,800 for in-state and out-of-state students, because the university is a private nonprofit. The program earns a Program Score of 82 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want small classes, a clear CPA path and a values-based Holy Cross core, and who can plan for the fifth year if they choose the MBA route.
George Fox University
Newberg, OR · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 94%
- In-state
- $40,600
- Out-of-state
- $40,600
A Christian-framed business administration major with four concentrations and a final Management Strategy course built around a project for a real company.
- Program Score 80.8
- 72% graduation rate
- $40,600 in-state tuition
- Four concentrations including healthcare administration
George Fox University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with four concentrations: finance, healthcare administration, management and marketing. The page calls it the most flexible business major and says faculty work with students to choose concentrations or minors, with many adding languages, graphic design, psychology or a semester abroad. The business core is 42 credit hours and starts with financial and managerial accounting. In the final course, Management Strategy, students work with a professor on a project for a real company. Ethics runs through the curriculum, and members of the Ignite mentorship program are matched with Christians working in industry. The school reports accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
George Fox graduates 72% of its students and admits 94% of applicants. In-state tuition is $40,600, the same as out-of-state. The program earns a Program Score of 80.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a broad business foundation with room to specialize, small classes and a faith-based setting, and who may continue to the university's MBA.
Linfield University
McMinnville, OR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state
- $50,324
- Out-of-state
- $50,324
A Management major offered both on the McMinnville campus and fully online, with internships and applied projects built into the learning.
- 70% graduation rate
- Program Score 79.6
- $50,324 tuition
- On campus or fully online
Linfield University's Management major trains students to guide teams, design effective organizations and make evidence-based decisions. Coursework covers organizational behavior, human resource management and strategic planning alongside the core business disciplines, preparing students for supervisory and managerial roles. The program is offered on the McMinnville campus through the School of Business or fully online through Online and Continuing Education, so it serves traditional students and working adults. Linfield describes small classes, close faculty mentorship, internships, field trips and applied projects that connect coursework to workplace practice, and it offers study abroad. Listed career paths include operations manager and human resources roles.
The program has a Program Score of 79.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The federal graduation rate is 70% and the admit rate is 85%, so most applicants are accepted. Tuition is $50,324, with no difference between in-state and out-of-state students. It fits students who want leadership and organizational training with hands-on experience, and working adults who need the online route. Prospective students should review the program requirements and the school's financial aid and scholarship information, since the page notes that many Linfield scholarships are considered automatically at application.
Warner Pacific University
Portland, OR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $21,260
- Out-of-state
- $21,260
A 57-credit-hour BS in Accounting with practical internships, after which the school says 95% of graduates find work.
- 49% graduation rate
- Program Score 77.3
- $21,260 tuition
- Internship experience built in
Warner Pacific University offers an in-person Bachelor of Science in Accounting in its School of Business, a traditional four-year degree with 57 major credits. The page describes training in financial decision-making, risk analysis, professional communication and business leadership, with proficiency in generally accepted accounting principles, federal tax law, accounting controls and auditing. Students gain internship experience while earning the degree, and the school reports that 95% of its accounting graduates find work after graduation. The program can be a first step toward credentials such as the CPA, CMA or CIA. Working adults who need a different format can look at the separate accelerated online Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. The page also lists a 2.5 minimum high school GPA and says 99% of students receive financial aid.
Federal data show a 49% graduation rate and a 71% admit rate. Tuition is $21,260 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, since Warner Pacific is a private nonprofit. The program holds a Program Score of 77.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a small campus with hands-on internships and a lower sticker price than many private schools, and who are comfortable with a graduation rate below the national middle.
Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $9,114
- Out-of-state
- $27,132
A 180-credit Management and Leadership degree that builds AI tool use for data analysis into existing coursework through a microcredential at no extra cost.
- 53% graduation rate
- Program Score 76.8
- $9,114 in-state tuition
- AI in Business Microcredential
Portland State University's Management and Leadership program sits in the School of Business and is offered as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science, each at 180 credits with any-term start. Delivery is listed as in person, with online courses available subject to availability. Core coursework covers human resource management, team processes, organization design and change, and contemporary leadership issues, alongside business courses in finance, marketing, information technology, research and operations. Undergraduates also complete an integrated AI in Business Microcredential within existing courses, with no extra courses or fees according to the school. The school reports AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting.
The program has a Program Score of 76.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The federal graduation rate is 53% and the admit rate is 91%. In-state tuition is $9,114 and out-of-state tuition is $27,132, a gap worth weighing for students from outside Oregon. The degree fits people who want a flexible business major that leads to roles such as management analyst, project manager, operations manager or nonprofit leader, and it suits transfer students and working professionals in a large urban university of about 20,000 students.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Schools in Portland
The median school on this list graduates 71% of its students. The highest rates belong to Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies (100%) and University of Portland (80%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies100% graduation rate
- #2 University of Portland80% graduation rate
- #3 George Fox University72% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Schools in Portland?
Every school here that reports an admit rate takes at least half of its applicants; the median is 87%.
- #1 Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies59% admitted
- #5 Warner Pacific University71% admitted
- #4 Linfield University85% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Online Options Among the Business Schools in Portland
Of the 6 schools ranked here, 2 offer distance education. The highest ranked is George Fox University, at #3.
- #3 George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR
- #6 Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the Business Schools in Portland
Enrollment on this list runs from 257 at Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies to 19,951 at Portland State University. Of the 6, 5 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Schools in Portland Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate StudiesWarner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies | $78,571 | |
| #2 | University of PortlandPortland | $95,686 | $28,803 |
| #3 | George Fox UniversityGeorge Fox | $82,212 | $31,648 |
| #4 | Linfield UniversityLinfield | $77,983 | $24,882 |
| #5 | Warner Pacific UniversityWarner Pacific | $77,653 | $17,739 |
| #6 | Portland State UniversityPortland State | $71,621 | $8,337 |
Graduates of Portland earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $95,686; the lowest figure here is $71,621 at Portland State.
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $78,571.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $8,337 a year at Portland State to $31,648 at George Fox.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Business Schools in Portland Cost
Tuition across the 6 ranked schools runs from $9,114 to $56,800 a year. Portland State University anchors the low end at $9,114 a year, while University of Portland sits at the top at $56,800. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Portland is Portland State University at $9,114; the cheapest private is Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies at $14,640.
Over the four years a bachelor's takes, that is roughly $36,456 in tuition at Portland State University against about $227,200 at University of Portland. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Portland from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Which Business Major to Choose in Portland
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Portland do not all offer the same ones. Across the 54 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Portland are business administration (8 schools), accounting (7 schools), marketing (5 schools), healthcare administration (5 schools), and finance (4 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: most states now license CPAs on either 150 credit hours and one year of experience or a bachelor's and two years, so the choice between a fifth year of school and a longer apprenticeship shapes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 7 of the schools analyzed in Portland run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Portland
1 of the 6 ranked business schools in Portland is public and 5 are private, and that split drives most of the $47,686 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: Portland State University charges $9,114 in-state and $27,132 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Why Study Business in Portland
The 6 ranked schools sit across 3 towns in the metro, among them Portland, Newberg, and McMinnville, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 2 of the 6 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Keep Exploring
Business Schools in Portland: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best business school in Portland?
By Program Score, Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ranks first among the 6 ranked business schools in Portland, with an 84 score and a 100% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Portland?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Portland, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Portland?
Tuition among the ranked Portland schools runs from $9,114 to $56,800 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Portland living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Portland does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 54 accredited business programs across Portland and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 6 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Portland metro area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Portland instead of online?
2 of the 6 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Portland this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $9,114 in-state, Portland State University is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.