afford Oregon State

cost and aid

Tuition and Costs

A college education is a smart investment. Oregon State University students receive an excellent value from their hard work, and it pays off. According to PayScale, Oregon State graduates earn a median early career salary of $57,700 and $104,500 at mid-career.

Tuition and costs vary depending on a student’s residency status, course of study, and degree level. Some academic majors/programs charge a differential tuition rate, which can be found in the tuition tables. All degree-seeking students also pay the Building, Incidental, Technology, Student Health Service and Counseling Service fees each term. Actual expenses will vary based on a student’s personal choices and course of study.

Financing Your Education

You are not on your own. Most Oregon State students receive some form of financial support. There are scholarships, grants, work-study and loans available to help pay for college. Over $15 million in scholarships are funded by generous alumni who have done well and want to give back. One day, you might be able to do the same.

General Financial Aid

Financial aid is based on the premise that you (and in the case of dependent students, your parents/guardians) are primarily responsible for providing for your educational expenses, and it is intended to supplement student and family contributions toward educational costs.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships are financial awards based on activities, achievements, and promise. Although some scholarships are awarded based on merit and engagement, many also consider financial need. Like grants, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Some OSU scholarships are awarded based on a student's application for admission, so incoming first-year students should apply as early as possible to maximize their scholarship opportunities.

Work-Study

Federal work-study funding helps provide part-time jobs for students with financial need. Being awarded work-study funds allows you to apply for jobs that specifically have the work-study designation.

Loans

Student loans are a valuable resource for funding your education. Loans need to be repaid when you have completed your degree or are no longer enrolled at least half time in an accredited program. You can estimate your loan repayment by using the calculator at studentloans.gov.

Special Opportunities for Oregon State Students

WUE Program

Oregon State is a participating institution in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. With the WUE Scholarship, residents from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam, the North Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau may be eligible for tuition at 150% of base resident tuition (renewable for 4 years). Note that new incoming students are considered for WUE based on the info they provide in the admissions process. Awards are competitive and not all students from these participating states and territories are chosen to receive the WUE Scholarship.

Bridge to Success Program

Oregon State residents may be eligible for the Bridge to Success program and receive financial support in the form of scholarships and grants from various sources that cover the cost of basic tuition and fees at OSU. Qualified applicants also receive offers of on-campus student employment, are eligible to waive the $200 Advance Tuition Deposit (ATD) needed to confirm their enrollment and economical meal plan options in our dining halls.

Degree Partnership Program (DPP)

Many students choose to participate in Oregon State’s Degree Partnership Program, a pathway to completing a university degree more affordably. This program allows you to be jointly admitted and enrolled at Oregon State and any of our Oregon and Hawai’i community college partner schools. Whether you start at a participating community college and end up at OSU or split time between OSU and your community college, you’ll be a Beaver on day one!

ScholarDollars Scholarship Search

Oregon State students may use the ScholarDollars scholarship search to apply for over $15 million in donor-funded scholarships and more than $50 million in campus-based scholarship funding. By submitting the applications available in ScholarDollars, you may be considered for nearly 2,500 Oregon State scholarship opportunities.