Students at Oregon State University achieve consistently strong long-term earnings that place the institution among the top quarter of public universities nationwide for financial outcomes.
Graduates see particularly solid results in STEM fields, with the university ranking in the top 25% for both overall earnings and outcomes for low-income students.
Azimuth ranks Oregon State University 79th out of approximately 400 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 20% for overall value. OSU stands out as a comprehensive research university that consistently delivers strong long-term earnings outcomes for graduates across a wide range of academic programs. With nearly 71% of students completing their degrees within six years and median earnings of $64,010 ten years after enrollment, the university demonstrates solid academic and financial returns.
What makes Oregon State particularly noteworthy is its strength in high-demand STEM fields. Computer Science graduates earn a median of $73,446 ten years out, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering majors achieve similar earnings at $73,035. These programs, combined with strong business offerings, create a foundation for the university's above-average earnings performance nationally.
As Oregon's flagship land-grant institution in Corvallis, OSU provides the scale and resources of a major research university while maintaining accessibility for Oregon families. The university serves a diverse student body, with 22% receiving Pell Grants and 31% being first-generation college students, yet still achieves earnings outcomes that place it in the top quintile nationally for long-term financial returns.
Oregon State University's program portfolio demonstrates clear strengths in high-demand STEM fields that translate directly into strong career outcomes. Computer Science stands out as both the largest high-return program and the university's economic engine, graduating 626 students annually with median earnings of $73,446. This combination of scale and outcomes makes it a cornerstone of OSU's strong overall earnings performance.
Engineering programs consistently deliver top-tier financial returns, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earning $73,035 despite the program's more focused scale of 116 graduates per year. These technical programs benefit from Oregon's growing technology sector and the university's strong industry partnerships, creating direct pathways into well-paying careers.
Business Administration and Management represents OSU's largest non-STEM program, graduating 406 students with median earnings of $47,260. While more moderate than the engineering outcomes, this program provides solid career foundations and demonstrates the university's ability to deliver value across different academic areas. Even programs like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which show lower immediate earnings at $18,315, often serve as preparation for medical school, graduate study, and research careers that develop strong long-term earning potential.
Oregon State University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $64,010 ten years after enrollment. This performance places OSU in the 79th percentile nationally among public universities, reflecting the institution's ability to prepare students for well-paying careers across multiple industries. The university's location in Oregon's tech corridor and strong industry partnerships contribute to these solid earnings outcomes.
The strongest financial returns come from OSU's STEM programs, which dominate the highest-earning majors. Computer Science, the university's highest aggregate-return program, graduates 626 students annually with median earnings of $73,446. Electrical and Electronics Engineering produces similar outcomes at $73,035 for 116 graduates per year. Business Administration and Management, while showing more moderate earnings at $47,260, remains popular with 406 graduates annually and provides solid career foundations. Even programs like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which show lower early-career earnings at $18,315, often serve as stepping stones to graduate school and advanced professional degrees.
OSU's comprehensive program portfolio spans engineering, computer science, business, agriculture, and the liberal arts, creating multiple pathways to career success. The university's research focus and industry connections, particularly in technology and engineering sectors, help explain why graduates consistently achieve above-average earnings compared with peers at similar institutions nationwide.
Oregon State University offers predictable affordability across income levels, with net prices that align closely with national averages for public research universities. Low-income students pay approximately $13,219 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $16,992 per year. Higher-income families face net prices of about $26,447, reflecting the typical structure where families with greater resources contribute more toward educational costs.
Debt levels at OSU are manageable for most graduates given their strong earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt is $21,221, which represents a reasonable investment considering the university's median earnings of $64,010 ten years after graduation. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,003 for families who choose this option, a moderate level that reflects thoughtful family financial planning rather than excessive borrowing.
The university's loan repayment patterns demonstrate the sustainability of these debt levels. OSU borrowers consistently outperform national averages in paying down their balances, with particularly strong performance in the early years after graduation. By year four, borrowers have paid off about 13% of their original balance, placing the university in the 88th percentile nationally for balance reduction speed. This rapid payoff pattern reflects both the strong earnings outcomes and the manageable debt loads that characterize the OSU experience.
Oregon State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
