Willamette University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Willamette University in Salem, OR with Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Willamette University is larger than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus based on total student enrollment (2,180 students vs. 1,296 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Willamette University is located in Salem, OR (Midsize City setting); Oregon State University Cascades Campus is in Bend, OR (Small City setting).
• Willamette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University Cascades Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Willamette University 13:1; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 9:1.

Willamette University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oregon State University Cascades Campus than Willamette University ($19,772 vs. $29,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Willamette University are 1.4% lower than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus ($16,150 vs. $16,386).
• Willamette University is 277.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (about $37,590 more per year; $51,156.00 vs. $13,566.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Willamette University than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (about $13,800 more per year; $51,156.00 vs. $37,356.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Willamette University than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Willamette University students is 244.7% larger than aid received by Oregon State University Cascades Campus students ($38,080 vs. $11,046).

Willamette University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oregon State University-Cascades Campus and Willamette University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Willamette University (1340) is 110 points higher than at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Willamette University 1240/1440; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 1143/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Willamette University 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Willamette University - Test optional; Oregon State University-Cascades Campus - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Willamette University Jan 15, 2027.
• Willamette University has a higher acceptance rate (77.1%) than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (63.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Willamette University vs. 13.8% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.

Willamette University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Willamette University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Willamette University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oregon State University Cascades Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Willamette University graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Willamette University graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oregon State University-Cascades Campus students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.