OVERVIEW

Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university. It is a land-gran, sea-grant, space-grant and sun-grant institution, the only public university to own the four designations. With an undergraduate enrollment of 19,559, the university receives more funding for research, which is more than all other public higher education institutions in Oregon combined.

Founded in 1838, the university is located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. Moreover, in 2008 its campus was designated the Oregon State University Historic District, becoming the only college or university campus in Oregon to have a historic district designation.

The University offers degrees in bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate’s programs. The average freshman retention rate of the university is 82% and both 4-year and 6-year graduation rate remain medium.

The mission of Oregon State University is:

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This mission is achieved by producing graduates competitive in the global economy, supporting a continuous search for new knowledge and solutions, and maintaining a rigorous focus on academic excellence, particularly in the three Signature Areas: Advancing the Science of Sustainable Earth Ecosystems; Improving Human Health and Wellness; and Promoting Economic Growth and Social Progress.

ACCREDITATION

The university is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

ACADEMICS

Oregon State University comprises thirteen schools:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Business
• Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Forestry
• Graduate School
• Public Health & Human Sciences
• Liberal Arts
• Pharmacy
• Science
• University Honors College
• Veterinary Medicine

The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:

1. Business Administration and Management, General
2. Human Development and Family Studies, General
3. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
4. Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General
5. Natural Sciences

According to the U.S. News and World Reportin 2012, it is the 138th in national universities.

With 36.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, the university has a medium rate in full-time faculty with Ph.D or terminal degree which accounts for 79% and no classes are taught by graduate assistants.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for the university are required to have taken either SAT or ACT tests, and ACT with writing test is required as well. Moreover, High school diploma is necessary and GED is accepted. Among academic factors considered rigor of secondary school record and application essay are very important and within nonacademic factors considered character/personal qualities and talent/ability are attached great importance to.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

The tuitions and fees for year 2011-2012 is USD 7,518 for students who are in state and for those who are out of state it is USD 21,294. Students spend USD 1,854 for books and USD 9,444 for room and board on average.

With the average need-based scholarship or grant award of $3,494, 57.1 percent of full-time undergraduates in the university receive some kind of need-based financial aid. It also provides many kinds of need-based scholarships from state, individuals and the university, at the same time students can choose to apply for loans.