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Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR·Public·29,557 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $56,700 within 10 years.

79%
Accept
29,557
Students
$19,568
Net Price
71%
Grad Rate
$56,700
Earnings
10 yr
$15,000
Debt

About This School

Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon with approximately 29,557 undergraduate students enrolled. Oregon State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,568 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $56,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate degree programs, and graduate and doctorate degrees through all 11 colleges. It is classified as an R1 Doctoral University, designating "very high research activity", and as of 2023 has the seventh-largest engineering college in the nation. Undergraduate enrollment for all colleges combined averages over 32,000 while an additional 5,000 students are engaged in post-graduate coursework through the university.

This is a strong option for students interested in engineering, natural sciences, or research — OSU holds R1 research status and ranks among the top 10 engineering colleges in the country, all at an average net price of around $19,568/year with relatively low median debt of $15,000 at graduation. The 87% freshman retention rate suggests students generally find their footing, though the 71% graduation rate means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish, which is worth asking about. Median earnings of $56,700 a decade out are solid given the affordable cost, making the return on investment here genuinely reasonable for in-state students especially.

Founded
1868
Setting
Small city
Mascot
Benny Beaver
Conference
Pac-12 Conference

Popular Programs

Computer Science16%
Engineering15%
Business & Marketing13%
Biological Sciences7%
Psychology6%
Social Sciences5%
Health Professions4%
Visual & Performing Arts2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Linus PaulingDouglas EngelbartJensen HuangGary PaytonPhil KnightTed StevensDonald PettitJohn EnsignFrits BolkesteinSara Jean UnderwoodA. C. GreenWilliam Oefelein

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$13,494
Out-of-State Tuition
$35,664
Avg Net Price
$19,568
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants22%
Median debt at graduation$15,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
71%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
87%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$42,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.8x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White64%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (29,557 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Oregon State University

1500 SW Jefferson Avenue

Corvallis, OR 97331

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Oregon

Browse all Oregon schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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