Oregon State University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 08/2025)

Oregon State University (OSU) is a well-respected public research university located in Corvallis. Known for its strong programs in engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, and marine biology, Oregon State serves over 32,000 undergraduate students across diverse fields. It is a land-, sea-, and sun-grant institution, which reflects its commitment to research and outreach across multiple areas. With a focus on sustainability and research, OSU plays an important role in regional development and global problem-solving.

Total Cost of Attendance

The Oregon State University tuition in 2024-25 for state residents was $14,400. This is higher than the national average of $11,610 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, Oregon State tuition was $38,190, which is above the national average for out-of-state tuition of $30,780.

Tuition, however, is only part of the total cost of attending college. Here’s a look at other expenses students can expect when attending Oregon State.

Financial Aid

The vast majority of OSU students (92%) use financial aid to help cover the tuition and other costs. This may be student loans, scholarships, or grants, or a combination of these.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

A large share of students (33%) tap student loans to help pay Ohio State’s tuition and other costs: 32% take out federal loans, and 6% get private student loans (with an average amount of $20,904).

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The Oregon State University cost of attendance for four years — including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses — is $139,512 for in-state students (based on 2024-25 numbers). By comparison, the national average at public universities for in-state students is $119,640 for four years.

For out-of-state residents, the four-year cost for attending Oregon State is $234,672. This is higher than the national average of $196,320 for out-of-state cost of attendance.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2024-25

Oregon State’s undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year were $14,400 for in-state students, a 6.7% increase over 2023-24. The tuition and fees for out-of-state students were $38,190, a 7.1% increase over 2023-24.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for graduate students at Oregon State for 2024-25 averaged $16,206 for in-state students and $33,351 for out-of-state students. This is a good deal for residents: The average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S. is $22,430 per year.

There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour at Oregon State is approximately $400 for Oregon residents and $1,061 for nonresidents.

Campus Housing Expenses

The campus offers 15 residence halls, along with three on-campus apartment complexes (for students who are in their second year and above). All first-year students are required to live on campus, unless they are exempted or living with family.

Costs for 2024-25

•   Housing and food expenses (on campus): $16,386

•   Housing and food expenses (off campus):$16,386

•   Other living expenses: $3,492

Total living expenses for 2024-25 came to an estimated $19,878 for students who lived on or off campus.

Oregon State University Acceptance Rate

Oregon State University is lightly selective, with an acceptance rate of 79%.

Admission Requirements

Oregon State University has a holistic admissions process that considers the various skills and achievements of each applicant. As part of their review, they look at:

•  Your high school grades, courses taken, and rigor of coursework

•  Grades in any college or dual-credit courses

•  Information provided in your personal statement on the application

•  Your responses to application essay prompts

•  Experiences and diverse perspectives that you may share with our campus

•  Special talents and achievements

Test scores and letters of recommendation are optional but may be submitted.

You can apply to Oregon State using the OSU application or the Common App.

Application deadlines:

•  Early action: November 1

•  Priority application: February 3 (after this date, admission and scholarships are awarded on a space and funds available basis).

SAT and ACT Scores

Oregon State is test-optional. SAT or ACT scores, if submitted, are considered in context and only as supplemental information. The university does not publish the average SAT or ACT scores of admitted students who did choose to submit their scores.

Popular Majors at Oregon State University

Students at OSU can choose from more than 100 undergraduate degree programs. Here’s a look at 10 of of the most popular areas of study:

1. Computer Science

Computer science (CS) is the study of algorithms and problem solving. CS majors learn how to craft artificial intelligences, analyze medical data, create robots, mine web traffic, combat cybercrime, and much more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 911

2. Business Administration

The business administration program provides a broad overview of business, including basic skills in accounting and quantitative methods, an understanding of the legal and social environment of business, and a background in management and organizational behavior.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 361

3. Psychology

Psychological majors can earn a B.A. or B.S. degree in Psychology. Some graduates go straight into the workforce in areas such as human resources and human services; others continue their education in psychology or other fields (including law, medicine, business, and public administration).

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 338

4. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering majors learn how to design, develop, and improve devices, products, processes, and systems. Students can specialize in certain areas, such as design, mechanics materials, robotics, and wave energy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 272

5. Kinesiology

Kinesiology majors focus on physical activity and its effect on human health, disease prevention, and quality of life. Graduates are prepared for professional certifications in fitness and conditioning, as well as graduate study in the field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 223

6. Biology

Biology majors focus on the study of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, and evolution. Many students use this major as a foundation for graduate study in medicine, veterinary medicine, and other health professions.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 200

7. Human Development and Family Sciences

Students who major in human development and family sciences (HDFS) explore how individuals develop and become resilient over time, especially within the contexts of family, school, work and society. An HDFS degree can lead to professional work or graduate study in fields such as education, HDFS, social work, or public administration.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 169

8. Electrical and Computer Engineering

Students majoring in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) study computer systems, electronic materials, integrated circuits, robotics, and more. The program offers hands-on learning in which students get to apply their knowledge of electrical and computer engineering to create their own robot.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 113

9. Finance

The finance program is designed to prepare students for careers in banking, brokerage, insurance, and other fields. Finance majors learn how to apply the fundamental concepts and tools of finance, evaluate the corporate governance structure of firms, and understand capital markets, among other topics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 102

10. Marketing

Marketing majors learn both technical marketing skills and leadership training. Career options include sales, advertising, retailing, brand management, market research, purchasing management, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 96

Graduation Rate

While many Oregon State students complete their degree in four years, some take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

•  4 years: 47%

•  6 years: 71%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The average annual salary for Oregon State graduates is $84,000. This is higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.