Head-to-head comparison
Western Oregon University vs Bushnell University: which has better ROI?
Option A Monmouth, OR
Western Oregon University
- Net price / year
- $17,237
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,815
- Payback
- 20 yrs
Option B Eugene, OR
Bushnell University
- Net price / year
- $20,789
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,623
- Payback
- 15.8 yrs
Bushnell University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,156 in 15.8 years versus 20 years at Western Oregon University, on median earnings of $53,623 vs $51,815 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western Oregon University | Bushnell University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,237 | $20,789 |
| Total net cost | $68,948 | $83,156 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,815 | $53,623 |
| Median debt | $20,609 | $23,500 |
| Payback | 20 yrs | 15.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $152 | $22,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Western Oregon University or Bushnell University?
Western Oregon University, at $17,237 a year after aid versus $20,789 — a gap of $3,552 a year, or $14,208 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Western Oregon University or Bushnell University graduates earn more?
Bushnell University graduates report a median $53,623 ten years after entry, $1,808 more than the $51,815 at Western Oregon University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Western Oregon University or Bushnell University?
Western Oregon University: its completers carry a median $20,609 in federal loans versus $23,500 at Bushnell University, a difference of $2,891. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Bushnell University, against 47% at Western Oregon University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.