Oregon State University - Overview

Oregon State is a leading research university located in one of the safest, smartest, greenest small cities in the nation. Situated 90 miles south of Portland, and an hour from the Cascades or the Pacific Coast, Corvallis is the perfect home base for exploring Oregon's natural wonders.

Oregon State University has always been a place with a purpose - making a positive difference in quality of life, natural resources and economic prosperity in Oregon and beyond. Through discovery, innovation and application, we are meeting challenges, solving problems and turning ideas into reality.

Founded in 1868, Oregon State is the state's Land Grant university and is one of only two universities in the U.S. to have Sea Grant, Space Grant and Sun Grant designations. Oregon State is also the only university in Oregon to have earned the Carnegie Foundation's top designation, awarded to institutions with "very high research activity."

As Oregon's largest public research university, with a record $252 million in research funding in 2008-09, Oregon State's impact reaches across the state and beyond. With 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, 35 county Extension offices, the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center in Newport and OSU-Cascades Campus in Bend, Oregon State has a presence in every one of Oregon's 36 counties, with a statewide economic footprint of $1.5 billion.

Oregon State welcomes a diverse student body of nearly 22,000 students from across Oregon, all 50 states and more than 80 countries. They can choose from more than 200 undergraduate and more than 80 graduate degree programs, including over 20 degrees offered online. Oregon State increasingly attracts high-achieving students, with nationally recognized programs in areas such as conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, forestry, fisheries and wildlife management, community health, pharmacy and zoology.

Oregon State also ranks high in sustainability, fourth among universities nationwide for using renewable energy and first in the Pac-10 Conference. And our students literally help power the university: 22 exercise machines at Dixon Recreation Center are connected to the grid.

The 400-acre main campus in Corvallis includes a Historic District, making Oregon State one of only a handful of U.S. university campuses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes such icons as Weatherford Hall, the Memorial Union and Benton Hall, the oldest building on campus.

Oregon State is located in Corvallis, a vibrant college town of 53,000 in the heart of Western Oregon's Willamette Valley. Corvallis consistently ranks among the best and safest cities to live in the U.S., as well as among the most environmentally responsible.

Location & Facilities

Oregon State University offers a friendly, welcoming community where students can get involved in their favorite activities - and try new ones. Students can choose from more than 300 clubs and activities, including student government, sports, community service, social and environmental awareness, Greek life, theater and music. Oregon State also hosts a variety of events - many that are open to the community - such as lectures, concerts, festivals and other cultural programs.

The Residence Halls and Cooperative Houses offer a variety of convenient living options and programs for OSU students. On campus housing offers traditional residential environments, as well as programs focused on specific interests such as international education, service-learning, engineering, entrepreneurship and sophomore and above housing.

• Residence Halls
  
• Bloss Hall
  
• Buxton Hall
  
• Callahan Hall
  
• Cauthorn Hall
  
• Finley Hall
  
• Halsell Hall
  
• Hawley Hall
  
• McNary Hall
  
• Poling Hall
  
• Sackett Hall
  
• Weatherford Hall
  
• West Hall
  
• Wilson Hall
  
• The Gem (Privately managed)