Oregon State University-Cascades Campus — ROI, Cost & Payback
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus charges a net price of $18,048/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $72,192. Graduates earn a median $64,010 ten years after entry, $15,650/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.6 years — a 20-year net return of $240,808, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's 4.6-year payback ranks #373 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 71% of them, and #5 of 38 in Oregon.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,048/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $72,192 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,010 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,650/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,221 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $240,808 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's own numbers. Net price $18,048 × 4 years = $72,192 total. Median earnings $64,010 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,650 a year of premium. $72,192 ÷ $15,650 = 4.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $240,808. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Oregon State University-Cascades Campus students graduate with?
A median $21,221 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $64,010 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Oregon State University-Cascades Campus students graduate?
56% finish their degree — 44% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $72,192 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $128,914 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Oregon State University-Cascades Campus expensive compared with other Oregon colleges?
Its $18,048 net price runs $1,108 above the $16,940 median across the 38 Oregon colleges we profile, or $4,432 more across the full degree.