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Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR·Public·30,743 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

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

77%
Accept
30,743
Students
$19,604
Net Price
70%
Grad Rate
$56,700
Earnings
10 yr
$21,221
Debt

About This School

Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon with approximately 30,743 undergraduate students enrolled. Oregon State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 77%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,604 per year. The graduation rate is 70%, 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
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,437

Popular Programs

Engineering16%
Computer Science16%
Business & Marketing13%
Biological Sciences7%
Psychology6%
Social Sciences6%
Health Professions4%
Visual & Performing Arts3%

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

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1290
Reading 75th %ile700
Math 75th %ile700

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,400
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,190
Avg Net Price
$19,604
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$12,107
$30–48k$13,036
$48–75k$15,729
$75–110k$20,262
$110k+$27,459

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants23%
Median debt at graduation$21,221

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
70%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
88%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$21,221
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$48,400
Female graduates$36,400

Gap: 25% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$21,221
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$42,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.7x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

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

Student Body

White63%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian8%
Two or more races7%
American Indian/Alaska Native1%
International3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (30,743 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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