Oregon State University

Overview

Oregon State University is a public research university based in the city of Corvallis. Aside from being the largest university in Oregon, OSU has the distinction of being one of the few American universities with land, sea, space, and sun-grant designations.

OSU currently offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spread over schools, with its top-ranking programs including Forestry, Oceanography, Robotics, and Natural Resources. Among the university's schools is the OSU Honors College, which awards Honors Baccalaureate degrees to students and provides opportunities for advanced research. Interdisciplinary programs such as Bioengineering and Comparative Health Sciences are offered at OSU's Graduate School as well.

The university also provides adult education and other educational opportunities for non-students through the OSU Extension Service program. In addition to on-campus programs, students can pursue degree and certificate programs at OSU's online Ecampus. OSU is also one of the few American universities to offer ROTC programs for each branch of the US Military.

OSU was first known as Corvallis Academy, a primary and preparatory community school established in 1856. The school offered its first college-level curriculum in 1865 and received authorization to grant Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts degrees in 1868, becoming Oregon's State Agricultural College in the same year. The school was renamed to Oregon State College in 1937, when it started offering a more diverse range of degree programs. The university officially adopted its current name in 1961.

Throughout its history, OSU has always been heavily involved in research. As a land, sea, space, and sun-grant institution, many of the university's research projects are focused on the natural sciences and the environment. Various OSU research centers and facilities—such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest—accommodate research on these fields of study.

Other notable research projects and facilities at OSU include the Ocean Observatories Institute, the largest ocean science project in American history, and the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, one of the world's largest and most advanced laboratories for studying coastal areas and oceans. Aside from the environmental sciences, OSU researchers also study health and wellness and advanced robotics.

In addition to its commitment to "exceptional research, discovery, innovation, and engagement," OSU also aims to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its system. To this end, the university has in years established various cultural centers to support students of color, including the Native American Longhouse and the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center. OSU also established a Pride Center to provide support services for LGBTQQIAAP students.

You can also learn more about the educational performance of Oregon State University in our ranking of US universities & colleges.