{"id":1598,"date":"2020-11-11T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=1598"},"modified":"2024-08-05T16:53:04","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T23:53:04","slug":"fall-enrollment-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/fall-enrollment-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State enrollment sets another record despite COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Nov. 10, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n

Editor’s note:<\/strong> This is an excerpted version of a news release published by OSU News and Research Communications. Read the full version<\/a> on its website.<\/em><\/div>\n
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CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2013 Oregon State University\u2019s fall 2020 enrollment reached a record level, driven by many factors, including increases in students of color and students enrolled in the university\u2019s online Ecampus program and OSU-Cascades in Bend.<\/p>\n

With 33,359 students enrolled this fall, up 585 students over last year, a 1.8% increase, OSU is the largest university in the state for the seventh consecutive year.<\/p>\n

The university also saw a double-digit increase in transfer students from community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Enrollment of veterans at OSU increased by 10.7% to 1,387 students \u2013 or 4.3% of the student body. Oregon State\u2019s fall enrollment in Corvallis includes 8,915 students of color, an increase of 588 students or 7.1%, over last year. Students of color now make up a record of more than 27% of OSU\u2019s overall enrollment. That figure more than doubles the enrollment of students of color in 2010, when the number was 4,179.<\/p>\n

Graduate student enrollment increased 4% in Corvallis and 13.7% at OSU-Cascades. In Corvallis, Oregon residents attending graduate school increased 17.5%.<\/p>\n

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSU\u2019s enrollment counters declines in college enrollment in\u00a0Oregon<\/a>\u00a0and nationwide. A\u00a0report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center<\/a>\u00a0estimated an overall 3% decrease in postsecondary enrollment nationally this fall fueled by uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Overall, freshmen enrollment within OSU increased over last year by nearly 4% to 3,892 students from 3,747.\u00a0Among freshmen, Ecampus enrollment increased just over 120%; OSU-Cascades by 22%; and Corvallis by 1%.\u00a0Nationally, the Clearinghouse Research Center estimated that universities and colleges saw as much as a 16% decreases in the enrollment of new freshman.<\/p>\n

\u201cOregon State University students want to learn, make progress toward their degrees and engage safely in their college education among friends \u2013 even in this pandemic,\u201d said OSU President F. King Alexander. \u201cIt is clear that they greatly value an Oregon State University education.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oregon State continues to be a school of choice among Oregon residents with 13,428 students, or 71.8%, of the Corvallis campus degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment coming from the state. That includes students from all 36 Oregon counties. At OSU-Cascades, 1,189 students, representing 86.5% of the campus enrollment, are Oregon residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cOSU is Oregon\u2019s statewide university,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cWe are committed to provide access to a high quality college education for all Oregonians at our campuses in Corvallis and in Bend, centers in Newport and Portland, and where they live and want to learn through online education and degrees offered through Ecampus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enrollment at OSU\u2019s Corvallis campus totals 23,266 students. That represents 937 fewer students compared to fall 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe decline in Corvallis enrollment follows national trends this fall of fewer out-of-state students and international students declining to travel from their home communities due to the pandemic and other concerns, including travel restrictions,\u201d said Alexander.<\/p>\n

Megan Bauer, an 18-year-old freshman, didn\u2019t let the pandemic dissuade her from coming to Corvallis from Washington state this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I left for college, everyone was telling me, \u2018See you in two weeks!\u2019 And now here we are in November, almost done with the term,\u201d she said. \u201cI think OSU is doing really well. I\u2019m pleasantly surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of OSU\u2019s enrollment growth was fueled by its nationally ranked Ecampus program, which has 8,840 students enrolled solely in it, an increase of 1,373 students, or 18.4%, over last year. The growth is due in part to the flexibility of Ecampus classes, especially during the pandemic. Ecampus delivers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs.<\/p>\n

Nathalie Orozco, who lives in La Habra, Calif., enrolled in the Ecampus fisheries and wildlife sciences bachelor\u2019s program this summer. The 30-year-old, who works full-time in business operations, already has a bachelor\u2019s degree in history from UCLA.<\/p>\n

But she has always been passionate about animals, conservation and the environment. That led to a conversation with her roommate while they were quarantining during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI probably would not have gone back to school if it were not for COVID,\u201d Orozco said. \u201cThat\u2019s the silver lining of the pandemic. I have a lot more free time because I can\u2019t do as much. I thought if I am going to have all this time, I might as well make it productive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The flexibility of the Ecampus program sold her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt made so much sense,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m able to go at my own pace and do work on my own time, which allows me to continue working full time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oregon State\u2019s fall enrollment includes:<\/p>\n