At $17,722/yr net price, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates earn $64,010/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,010/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,722 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $70,888 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,010/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,010/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,221 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,791/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,120/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,683/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,390/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,332/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $124,122 | $145,667 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $82,440 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $78,719 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $73,446 | $22,721 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,035 | $22,664 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,295 | $25,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $20,653 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $67,846 | |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,420 | $21,899 |
| Engineering, Other. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $28,067 |
The Risk Factor
51.2% of students at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Oregon State University-Cascades gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major. At about $64,010 median earnings ten years out against a median debt of $21,221, you carry less than a third of your later annual pay in loans. That ratio works in your favor and keeps monthly payments manageable.
The engineering and computer science programs are where the money is at this Bend campus. Computer science and electrical engineering both clear $73,000, and even the lowest-earning of the top five, industrial engineering at $67,420, beats the school-wide median. Manufacturing engineering stands out because you earn $69,338 while graduating with the lowest debt of the group at $20,653. Bend's growing tech and construction sectors give these degrees a real regional home, so you can work near where you studied.
The main risk is the 51.20% graduation rate. Almost half of you won't finish in the measured window, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome here. The 78.23% retention rate says most of you come back for a second year, so the drop-off happens later. If you enroll, treat finishing on time as the whole point.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $11,791. over $110k, you pay $24,332, more than double. If your family earns under $48k, the effective cost drops enough to make the engineering payoff nearly automatic.
This campus fits you if you're headed into engineering or computer science and plan to work in central Oregon. If you're aiming at a lower-paying field, the numbers still work only if you finish and keep debt near the school median. Take the graduation rate seriously before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon State University-Cascades Campus worth the cost?
OSU-Cascades offers reasonable value with a net price of $17,722 and median debt of $21,221, but the 51% graduation rate creates significant risk. Pharmacy and engineering programs justify the cost, while other majors may struggle to repay loans with the $64,010 median earnings.
What programs at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus have the best ROI?
Pharmacy leads with $124,122 median earnings, followed by education at $82,440 and mechanical engineering at $78,719. Computer science and electrical engineering also pay well above the school average, making these programs worth the investment.
How much debt do Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,221, which is manageable for high-paying majors like pharmacy and engineering. However, this debt level becomes problematic for graduates earning near the $64,010 median, especially given the 49% dropout rate.
Does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus have good financial aid?
The $17,722 net price suggests decent financial aid for in-state students, but nearly half of students don't graduate to see any return. The relatively low debt levels indicate aid helps, but completion risk remains the bigger financial concern.