Oregon State University – Cascades recently posted official fall enrollment numbers, showing a 19 percent increase in undergraduate students and an eight percent increase in students taking graduate level courses. A total of 936 students are currently taking classes at OSU-Cascades, reflecting a 16 percent growth in FTE*.
An additional 175 students are taking lower-level courses at Central Oregon Community College in preparation for transferring to OSU-Cascades, bringing total enrollment to 1,111 students. Until the branch campus expands to a four-year university in 2015, only upper level and graduate students are officially counted by the Oregon University System.
More than 75 percent of undergraduate students are attending classes full-time.Growth was seen across subgroups of students, although a noticeable increase was seen in the numbers of racial and ethnic minorities. The branch campus saw a nine percent increase in Hispanic students and a 75 percent increase in students reporting as American Indian or Alaskan native. OSU-Cascades continues to draw students primarily from Central Oregon and Oregon, although four percent represent California and 15 other states.
Out-of-state students are expected to increase beginning in fall 2015. The increase spread across several majors, with the human development and family sciences program the largest with 154 students. The business program represents more than 120 students, including students undertaking the new accounting degree. The fastest growing programs are the exercise and sport science, and social science programs, which respectively grew 49 percent and almost four-fold over fall 2012.
The new computer science degree has 10 students, with a pipeline of about 7 additional students enrolled at COCC.More than 70 students, are taking OSU online courses, and are not included in official numbers reported by OUS or OSU-Cascades. The percentage of female students increased slightly to 60 percent of the student body. Women comprised about 70 percent of the student population through 2010. The youngest enrolled student is 17; the oldest is 74.OSU-Cascades is working to welcome and accommodate new students, introducing them to initiatives such as the U-Engage course, which helps orient students to university life and guides them towards a successful college career.
To learn more about OSU-Cascades, view the campus fact sheet or contact the admissions office at 541-322-3100.
* Full-time equivalence (FTE) measures the total credit-bearing activity of a campus. The definition varies depending on the level of the student. The full-time equivalent for an undergraduate is assumed to be 15 term credit hours (or 45 annual credit hours). For a master’s and professional level students, the number is 12 credit hours (36 annual credit hours).www.osucascades.edu
