Oregon Community Colleges (2-Yr Colleges)

Oregon Junior Colleges, Technical Schools, and Institutes

The State of Oregon administers its own system of higher education which operate at least two tiers of public colleges. One being the community colleges in Oregon, sometimes called Oregon junior colleges, or Oregon technical institutes, and so-called "four-year" Oregon colleges which award bachelor's and master's degrees. The "two-year" community educational institutions provide post-secondary education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees in Oregon. The name, "community colleges" derives from the fact that "two-year" colleges primarily accept, and attract, students from the Oregon local community

The history of two-year colleges in Oregon began with 1949 legislation that allowed local school districts to create extension centers for the purpose of offering college-level courses. A decade later, legislation authorized the formation of independent community college districts. In 1961, legislators provided sufficient appropriations to capitalize the new districts, and by 1999, the number of college districts had grown to 17.

Historically, Oregon's community colleges have depended heavily upon local property tax levies for funding. But the recession of the 1980s and two statewide ballot initiatives that placed limits on local property taxes forced the colleges to become more dependent upon state support. In 1987, the legislature established the Office of Community College Services, headed by a Commissioner for Community Colleges, as a separate state agency reporting to the State Board of Education.

Oregon College Degrees, Certificates, & Diplomas

Oregon Cities Colleges:

Oregon Community Colleges and Two Year Colleges

• Blue Mountain Community College (Pendleton, OR)
• Central Oregon Community College (Bend, OR)
• Chemeketa Community College (Salem, OR)
• Clackamas Community College (Oregon City, OR)
• Clatsop Community College (Astoria, OR)
• Columbia Gorge Community College (The Dalles, OR)
• Klamath Community College (Klamath, OR)
• Lane Community College (Eugene, OR)
• Linn-Benton Community College (Albany, OR)
• Mt. Hood Community College (Gresham, OR)
• Oregon Coast College (Newport, OR)
• Portland Community College (Portland, OR)
• Rogue Community College (Medford, OR)
• Southwestern Oregon Community College (Coos Bay, OR)
• Tillamook Bay Community College (Tillamook, OR)
• Treasure Valley Community College (Ontario, OR)
• Umpqua Community College  (Roseburg, OR)