BEND, OR -- Fall 2017 enrollment for Oregon State University across the three campuses grew 1.9%, and a lot of that growth was at OSU Cascades.
Steve Clark of OSU, says OSU Cascades isn't just for Central Oregonians. "We're also seeing more enrollment coming from throughout the state. We want to grow that. We think as we grow the enrollment that there are academic programs at OSU Cascades that are going to be a real strength for all of Oregon and the opportunity to educate Oregonians in the Bend area is not only good for the culture of Central Oregon, but for the economy of Central Oregon."
Clark says their emphasis for enrollment is on First Generation students, students of color, and students with GPAs in the top percentage of their high school classes. "Really high achieving, highly productive students have come to Oregon State throughout its 149 years, but what we're seeing, more and more each year, is that the best and brightest, and most productive students, are saying 'i want to go to Oregon state in Corvallis, I want to go to Oregon State in Bend'."
Clark says the most popular undergraduate majors are computer science, business administration, mechanical engineering, biology and kinesiology and that OSU Cascades is what's known as a 'Destination School,' with a growing enrollment of students coming from outside Central Oregon to study those programs. "I think what's really important for Central Oregon, and really the state of Oregon, is that OSU Cascades continues to grow. We see that there's 300 First Generation students that have enrolled at OSU Cascades that have the chance to get a college education for the first time of any member of their family. That's outstanding."
Clark says Oregon State manages their student enrollment, trying to maintain a slow and steady growth, to ensure each campus meets the needs of its individuals.
