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

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

OSU-Cascades is 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.
Today, the dynamic campus offers degree programs in disciplines essential to the world’s growing demand for sustainable enterprises in energy, natural resources, health, and recreation and tourism. The spectacular living-learning laboratory of Central Oregon, combined with the world-class excellence of OSU’s faculty, provides an incubator for student opportunities and experiences shaped by OSU’s strengths in engineering, science, business and the humanities. The vibrant campus continues to develop, bringing a Central Oregon orientation to OSU’s strategic emphases on healthy people, a healthy planet and a healthy economy.

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 9% of students self-identify as representing a minority

Faculty excellence

Thirty-two 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, and 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 and/or community outreach responsibilities. Academic programs are also supported by 30 part-time associate 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.

Based on fall 2011 enrollment, unless otherwise noted.  As of January 2012.