Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus at a Glance
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university enrolls over 32,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate degree programs, and graduate and doctoral degrees through all of its 11 colleges. It has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R1 Doctoral University, designating "very high research spending and doctorate production". As of 2025, OSU is home to the fifth-larg…
1868
158 years old
$1.0B
$1.01 billion (2025)
37,121
32,014 undergrad · 4,439 grad
560 acres
Identity
Is Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Worth It?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus offers moderate value at $18,048/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $64,010, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Oregon State University-Cascades Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 19 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Virginia Military Institute | 89 | $17,113 | $77,369 |
| #2 | University of Minnesota-Rochester | 72 | $13,744 | $69,020 |
| #3 | St. Mary's College of Maryland | 56 | $18,441 | $60,110 |
| #4 | Lake Superior State University | 51 | $12,822 | $49,045 |
| #5 | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | 48 | $18,048 | $64,010 |
| #6 | Wright State University-Lake Campus | 47 | $11,081 | $49,500 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,048/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bend, OR
- Student Body
- 1,044 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,048
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,010
- Median Student Debt
- $21,221