Students at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $10,800 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The campus delivers particularly strong outcomes for low-income students, ranking in the top quartile nationally for post-graduation earnings among Pell Grant recipients.
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus ranks among the stronger performers in Oregon's public higher education landscape, delivering above-average return on investment through a focused academic model. This smaller campus serves about 28% Pell Grant recipients and 31% first-generation students, demonstrating meaningful access while maintaining solid graduation and earnings outcomes. The university's 6-year completion rate of 51% reflects the challenges many regional campuses face, but graduates who complete their degrees see strong financial returns.
What distinguishes OSU-Cascades is its ability to generate earnings outcomes that place it in the 74th percentile nationally among public institutions. Graduates earn a median of $64,010 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong performance in computer science and technology fields. The campus benefits from its location in Bend, Oregon, a growing tech hub that provides internship and career opportunities for students in high-demand fields.
As a smaller public institution, OSU-Cascades offers a more intimate educational experience while maintaining the resources and reputation of the broader Oregon State University system. For students who thrive in smaller environments but want access to strong career networks and solid financial outcomes, this campus provides an appealing middle ground between community college accessibility and flagship university resources.
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus maintains a focused program portfolio that emphasizes career-oriented fields with strong regional demand. Computer Science stands out as the flagship program, graduating 25 students annually with median earnings of $73,446 ten years after graduation. This program represents the highest aggregate return on campus, combining solid enrollment with excellent post-graduation outcomes that reflect both program quality and strong employer demand in the Pacific Northwest technology sector.
The campus's smaller scale allows for more personalized attention in each program, with faculty able to work closely with students on career preparation and industry connections. While the program mix is more limited than at larger institutions, the focus on applied fields and professional preparation helps explain why graduates across programs achieve earnings that exceed national expectations. The connection to the broader Oregon State University system provides additional resources and employer recognition that benefit students regardless of their specific major.
Bend's location as a growing hub for technology companies, outdoor recreation businesses, and sustainable industries creates natural pathways for graduates into well-paying careers. The campus's emphasis on experiential learning and industry partnerships helps students build the practical skills and professional networks that translate into strong early-career outcomes and long-term earning potential.
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $64,010 ten years after enrollment placing the institution in the 74th percentile nationally. Graduates earn approximately $10,769 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating meaningful earnings beyond expectations. This performance reflects both the quality of academic programs and the campus's strategic location in Bend's growing technology and outdoor recreation economy.
The campus's strongest financial returns come from its computer science program, which graduates about 25 students annually with median earnings of $73,446 ten years out. This program represents the highest aggregate return among the institution's offerings, combining solid enrollment with excellent post-graduation pay. While the campus maintains a focused program portfolio, the emphasis on technology and applied fields helps explain the strong overall earnings performance.
The relatively small scale of OSU-Cascades means graduates enter a more intimate alumni network, but the connection to the broader Oregon State University system provides access to employer relationships and career services that extend well beyond what the campus size might suggest. Students benefit from both the personalized attention of a smaller institution and the recognition that comes with the OSU brand in regional and national job markets.
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, with net prices that align closely with typical public university costs. Low-income students pay approximately $11,791 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $15,683 per year. Even high-income families face net prices of about $24,332, which remains within the range of what most public institutions charge for a comprehensive university experience.
Debt levels at OSU-Cascades are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt of $21,221 represents a reasonable investment given the median earnings of $64,010 that graduates see ten years after enrollment. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,003, reflecting families' willingness to invest in their students' education while keeping total debt at sustainable levels. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations after leaving school.
The combination of moderate net prices and strong earnings outcomes creates a favorable affordability profile for most families. Students can expect to handle standard loan repayment comfortably given typical post-graduation income levels, and the campus's focus on career-oriented programs helps ensure that educational investments translate into meaningful financial returns over time.
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
