LA GRANDE, Ore. – A small college in a small town is being recognized for its big impact. Eastern Oregon University just earned a spot on a national list built for schools like it. Washington Monthly, a national magazine that covers higher education, ranked Eastern Oregon University No. 53 on its first-ever “Best Colleges for Rural America” list.
Washington Monthly published the ranking on Aug. 30, 2026. The list looks at more than 200 four-year colleges located in small towns and rural areas across the country. It rewards schools that help students from working-class families earn strong wages close to home, without requiring a high bar for admission.
To build the ranking, Washington Monthly measured how many students at each school receive Pell Grants, how much students pay after aid, how much debt they carry at graduation, and how much alumni earn four years later. The magazine also gave credit to schools that keep graduates working in the state and that produce degrees in fields rural communities need most, such as education, nursing, agriculture, and engineering.
“This national recognition is proof that together we are accomplishing our mission to serve rural students and communities,” said President Kelly A. Ryan. “Eastern Oregon University is delivering life-changing education that empowers our graduates and strengthens our region.”
Eastern Oregon University has trained teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and other professionals for rural Oregon since 1929. The University was named Oregon’s Rural University by the state legislature in 2018 and continues to focus on serving students in La Grande and across the region.
To read the full story, visit Washington Monthly Best Colleges for Rural America. For more information about Eastern Oregon University and its academic programs, visit eou.edu.
