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Willamette University vs Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Willamette University is a private university in Salem, OR. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is a public university in Bend, OR. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus admits about 63% of applicants and Willamette University about 77%, making Oregon State University-Cascades Campus the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,048 a year at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus after aid, and about $25,121 at Willamette University. About 72% of students graduate at Willamette University, compared with 54% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. Ten years after enrolling, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus alumni earn a median of about $64,010, against $56,911 for Willamette University.

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Willamette University

Salem, OR · Private

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Salem, OR
Bend, OR
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,592
1,044
Acceptance rate
77%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–3.99
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1240–1440
1143–1318
ACT (middle 50%)
28–33
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,121
$18,048
Full cost / yr
$67,501
$29,798
In-state tuition
$51,156
$13,566
Out-of-state tuition
$51,156
$37,356
Application fee
$0
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,182
$11,497
$30k - $48k
$16,825
$11,716
$48k - $75k
$18,225
$16,694
$75k - $110k
$22,382
$20,055
Over $110k
$33,794
$24,478
Outcomes
Graduation rate
72%
54%
Freshman retention
87%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,932
$50,843
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,911
$64,010
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$21,221
Student body
Pell grant recipients
24%
27%
First-generation students
19%
31%
International students
2%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 3
Regular decision
Jan 15
Feb 2

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus harder to get into?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is harder to get into. It admits about 63% of applicants, compared with 77% at Willamette University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,048 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,121 at Willamette University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Willamette University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Before aid, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus costs about $29,798 a year and Willamette University about $67,501. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,497 there, against about $16,182 at Willamette University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Willamette University is the larger of the two, with about 1,592 undergraduates against 1,044 at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.
Does Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus have a better graduation rate?
Willamette University has the higher graduation rate, at about 72% against 54% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.
Do graduates of Willamette University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus earn more?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,010 ten years after enrolling, against about $56,911 for Willamette University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Willamette University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Willamette University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Willamette University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1240–1440 at Willamette University and 1143–1318 at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school