On-Campus Living At Oregon State University: A Student's Guide

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Corvallis, Oregon, with additional campuses in Bend, Portland, Newport, and La Grande. In Fall 2023, OSU's total undergraduate enrollment was 30,021, with a gender distribution of 51.1% male students and 48.9% female students. Of these, 17% of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 83% live off campus.

17% of OSU students live on campus

Oregon State University, often called OSU, is a public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon. It is the largest university in the state, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size spans 422 acres, and the university offers over 200 academic programs for undergraduates to choose from.

While the majority of OSU students live off campus, a significant proportion of students, approximately 17%, choose to live in on-campus housing. This translates to about 5,100 students residing in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing. This percentage has remained relatively consistent over the years, indicating a steady demand for on-campus accommodations.

On-campus housing at OSU includes a range of options, such as special housing for disabled students, international students, and other housing alternatives. The university prioritizes inclusivity and aims to cater to the diverse needs of its student body.

OSU's commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education extends beyond its academic offerings. The university recognizes the importance of a supportive living environment and strives to create a welcoming and inclusive community for its residents. This approach to student life is reflected in the variety of housing options available, ensuring that students can find a suitable living arrangement that aligns with their needs and preferences.

With a vibrant and diverse student population, OSU fosters a dynamic and engaging campus culture. The university encourages students to get involved in various extracurricular activities, with hundreds of clubs to join, fraternities and sororities to pledge, and athletic teams to try out for. This encourages a well-rounded student experience, promoting both academic excellence and a sense of community.

83% live off campus

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university located in Corvallis, Oregon. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021 in Fall 2023, OSU is the largest university in the state. Of these, 83% of students live off campus. This means that over 24,000 students choose to live off campus.

OSU offers over 200 undergraduate-degree programs and a variety of graduate and doctoral degrees through all 11 colleges. The gender distribution of the student body is 51.1% male and 48.9% female. The university's roots date back to 1856 when it was founded as a primary and preparatory community school known as Corvallis Academy. The school offered its first college-level curriculum in 1865, making it the first public college in the region.

OSU's main campus in Corvallis spans 420 acres and serves as an internationally recognised arboretum. The campus is located about 90 minutes south of Portland and an hour's drive from the Pacific coast. The university also has a 10-acre branch campus in Bend, known as OSU-Cascades, which offers select classes to students living in Central Oregon.

In addition to its physical campuses, OSU provides a wide range of online education options through its Ecampus program. This program has seen significant growth in enrollment, contributing to the overall increase in the university's student population. The Ecampus program offers more than 100 degrees, certificates, and micro-credentials, all designed by the same faculty who teach on campus.

With students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, OSU is committed to providing accessible and high-quality education. The university offers a range of housing options, including special housing for disabled and international students, and various other housing choices.

OSU is the largest university in Oregon

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Corvallis, Oregon, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021 (fall 2023). It offers more than 200 undergraduate-degree programs, along with a variety of graduate and doctoral degrees through all 11 colleges. The university's roots date back to 1856 when it was founded as a primary and preparatory community school known as Corvallis Academy.

In 2023, over 37,000 students were enrolled at OSU, making it the largest university in the state. Undergraduate enrollment for all colleges combined averages over 32,000, while an additional 5,000 students are engaged in post-graduate coursework through the university. OSU is also home to over 400 active student organizations and groups, with several federal and state natural forests and parks being popular student destinations.

The OSU campus is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, nestled in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking, and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events, and performances. The university's beautiful, historic, and state-of-the-art campus serves as an internationally recognized arboretum and the centerpiece of Corvallis.

OSU is the most innovative university in the state of Oregon, advancing research in critical areas such as climate science, robotics, clean energy, and biotechnology. It is one of only three schools in the nation designated as a land, sun, sea, and space grant university. The university has ranked as the state's top earner in research funding for over 50 years, receiving a record-high $449.9 million in the 2022 fiscal year.

With operations in all 36 counties and a presence in Newport, Portland, Bend, and La Grande, OSU is a trusted partner serving Oregonians statewide. The university's diverse academic programs, vibrant student life, and commitment to research excellence solidify its position as the largest and most comprehensive university in Oregon.

It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Corvallis, Oregon. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021 as of Fall 2023, it is the largest university in the state. The gender distribution among the undergraduate students is 51.1% male and 48.9% female. OSU offers over 200 undergraduate degree programs and a variety of graduate and doctoral degrees through all 11 colleges. The undergraduate enrollment for all colleges combined averages over 32,000, while an additional 5,000 students are engaged in postgraduate coursework.

In 2023, over 37,000 students were enrolled at OSU, with close to 37,000 students attending the university during the year—the most for any Oregon university on record. The university has seen record enrollment numbers for the past 27 consecutive years, with a total of 36,636 students enrolled in Fall 2023. This number includes students at OSU locations in Corvallis, Bend, Portland, La Grande, and through the university's nationally ranked online Ecampus unit. The Ecampus program has been a significant contributor to OSU's enrollment growth, with an 11% increase in 2023.

OSU's main campus in Corvallis spans 420 acres and serves as an internationally recognized arboretum. The university also has a 10-acre branch campus in Bend, known as OSU-Cascades, which offers a more centralized option for students living in Oregon's central region. Additionally, OSU has a presence in Portland, Newport, and other locations across the state.

With a commitment to accessibility and quality education, OSU continues to attract students from diverse backgrounds and has a strong focus on research and innovation.

OSU is a public land-grant research university

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university. It was founded in 1868 and currently has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,021, with a gender distribution of 51.1% male students and 48.9% female students. The campus size spans 422 acres and the university offers its students over 200 academic programs to choose from.

The designation of land-grant university is rooted in the Morrill Act of 1862, which aimed to "promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life." Land-grant universities were created to provide public education, which was previously only available to the wealthy, and to promote the idea that public education is fundamental to a nation's economic development.

OSU is Oregon's land-grant university and is a leader among the nation's land-grant universities. As part of its mission, it upholds the radical ideas of public education, scientific research, and engagement with the public. OSU's Agricultural Experiment Station has 14 field stations across Oregon, where scientists work to improve crops and develop methods to maintain clean water and healthy soil. Additionally, OSU Extension has faculty members in every county in the state, delivering research-based education to communities, industries, and youth.

The three-part mission of learning, discovery, and engagement is central to OSU as a land-grant university, and it guides their contributions to society. One significant contribution has been in the area of food systems, where OSU researchers have increased the quality and yields of Oregon's grains and vegetables.

Frequently asked questions