Oregon State University – Cascades

A small university, powered by the resources of Oregon State University

Oregon State University - Cascades is OSU's branch campus in Bend and the first and only branch campus in Oregon.  It is also the only baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution based in Central Oregon. Here, students find the excellence, resources and lifelong advantages of a premier research university, and a personalized, small-campus learning experience. Led by Oregon State University, OSU-Cascades awards master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Central Oregon’s university

OSU-Cascades was born more than a decade ago of a grassroots effort put forth by Central Oregonians to bring a university to the region. In 2000, the Oregon University System selected OSU, the state’s land grant university, to administer a campus that would serve as a capstone to Central Oregon Community College, offering upper-division and graduate coursework toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The new university opened its doors in September 2001.

Creating a four-year undergraduate experience

After record enrollment growth and demonstrated financial support from the surrounding community, in August 2012 the Oregon University System endorsed OSU-Cascades’ expansion to a four-year campus. The branch campus plans to add freshman and sophomore courses beginning in fall 2015 and establish a physical campus near downtown Bend. To learn more about the expansion click here.

Student profile

- Most students are from Central Oregon

- 32% attended local high schools

- Students are slightly older than traditional university students

- More than 75% are enrolled full-time

- Women comprise 56% of undergraduate students

- About 13% of students self-identify as representing a minority

Faculty excellence

Nearly 40 full-time faculty include a Distinguished Professor of Art History, a Fulbright Fellow and Max Planck Institute for Economics research fellow, a finalist for the Oregon Non-Fiction Book of the Year award, a Fellow of the International Canadian Studies Institute, as well as published authors. The faculty include tenured and tenure-track professors, and instructors with real-world experience. Professorial faculty report to the Dean of Academic Programs and to their home department at OSU. In addition to teaching, many faculty assume research responsibilities. Academic programs are also supported each year by 60 part-time adjunct faculty.

A partnership with COCC

A shared campus for undergraduate programs allow students to begin studies at Central Oregon Community College and continue upper-division coursework and degree completion at OSU-Cascades. The partnership saves more than 25 percent in tuition as compared to a traditional four-year university. Students also transfer to OSU-Cascades from community colleges throughout Oregon.

Community service and outreach

As Oregon’s land grant university, OSU requires a service component of faculty. OSU-Cascades faculty provide research and expertise to businesses and organizations throughout Central Oregon.  Since 2001, OSU-Cascades has partnered with 150 businesses, government and non-profit agencies, and public schools to provide student internships and practicums.

Click here for a 2012-2013 fact sheet (pdf)

Click here for a 2011-2012 fact sheet (pdf)