🎓 Oregon State University Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Oregon state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay (2025–26)
- Automatic merit and competitive scholarships at OSU
- How WUE and institutional aid work together
- Honors College, departmental resources, and stacking rules
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~78% (most recent official data: Fall 2024)
- Average GPA (weighted): ~3.7
- Middle 50% SAT (recent cycles): 1160 – 1390
- Middle 50% ACT (recent cycles): 24 – 31
- Testing Policy: Test-optional (no impact if scores not submitted)
Source: Oregon State University Admissions and Financial Aid (2025–26); latest verified acceptance data from Fall 2024 Common Data Set. ↗︎ Test Optional Admissions Policy
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Oregon State at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025.
Oregon State University is committed to accessibility and fairness. Its test-optional policy ensures that students without strong test records can still compete based on GPA, coursework, leadership, and essays. Merit scholarships and institutional awards further level the playing field.
Oregon residents may compete for the Presidential Scholarship (up to $10,000/year) that can fully cover tuition. Nonresidents can combine OSU’s competitive WUE scholarship (capped at 150% of resident tuition) with merit awards and departmental aid to reduce costs significantly.
FAQ
Is OSU test-optional? Yes — SAT/ACT scores are not required and will not harm applications if omitted. }
Does OSU superscore tests? No official source confirms superscoring; OSU reviews the highest composite from a single test. (So we set superscore = false.)
What’s the Presidential Scholarship? A competitive award for Oregon residents (up to $10,000/year), often enough to fully cover in-state tuition.
Does OSU participate in WUE? Yes — eligible out-of-state students may receive a tuition discount so that base nonresident tuition is capped at 150% of resident rate.
OSU Admissions — Test-Optional Policy: https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/test-optional-admissions
First-Year Scholarships (ScholarDollars overview): https://scholarships.oregonstate.edu/
Presidential Scholarship (Oregon residents): https://scholarships.oregonstate.edu/presidential-scholarship
WUE Scholarship at OSU (on-campus programs): https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/wue
OSU Honors College: https://honors.oregonstate.edu/
Dates & Deadlines (EA/Regular): https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/dates
Financial Aid & Scholarships (general): https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Oregon State University (2025–2026)
OSU uses a three‐term (quarter system) model. Below are the billed costs (tuition + housing) before scholarships and discounts are applied. Additions like books, transportation, and personal expenses are estimated separately.
| Category | In-State (3 Terms) | Out-of-State (3 Terms) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $15,246 | $40,392 |
| Housing & Meals (average) | $17,205 | $17,205 |
| Estimated Total (On-Campus) | $32,451 | $57,597 |
Why we only show tuition & housing here: OSU’s full “cost of attendance” includes books ($600), transportation ($879), and personal expenses ($2,817). These are allowances—not direct charges.
❓ Cost & WUE FAQs
Do I apply separately for WUE?
No — all eligible applicants from WUE states are automatically considered by OSU.
How much savings can WUE give?
It reduces nonresident tuition to ≤150% of resident rates (i.e. big savings off standard nonresident cost).
Can WUE stack with other scholarships?
WUE cannot be combined with OSU’s Provost Scholarship, but eligible departmental awards may still apply.
Do certain majors cost more?
Yes — some majors carry **differential tuition** or lab/major fees, which are not included in the base numbers above.
Cost of Attendance (budgets & allowances): https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/estimated-cost-attendance
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Business Affairs): https://fa.oregonstate.edu/business-affairs/tuition-fees
University Housing & Dining rates: https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/housing/rates
WUE Scholarship details (limits/renewal/stacking): https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/wue
Net Price Calculator (OSU): https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/net-price-calculator
Scholarship Stacking & Institutional Aid info: https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/scholarships
Automatic Merit Scholarships
Quick heads-up for parents: Oregon State does not publish true “automatic” merit awards for 2025–2026. There is no published GPA/test score grid that guarantees a set dollar amount; all major scholarships are competitive and will be explained in the next section.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSU lists no true automatic merit scholarships for 2025–2026. See Competitive Scholarships for selective awards and Cost of Attendance for WUE tuition-rate info. | ||||||
Automatic Merit FAQ
Why doesn’t OSU have automatic merit?
OSU scholarship awards are reviewed competitively through a holistic process with funding limits; they do not guarantee aid for meeting a specific GPA/test score.
Is WUE automatic?
No. WUE at OSU is a competitive tuition-rate scholarship for students from WUE states. It cannot be stacked with the Provost Scholarship and requires holistic review.
What should we do to maximize aid?
Apply by OSU’s earliest and priority deadlines, build a strong academic/application profile, and complete the FAFSA and OSU’s ScholarDollars portal when available.
Competitive Scholarships
OSU automatically reviews all eligible admitted students for several merit-based scholarships—no extra application needed—based on GPA, course rigor, essays, and date of admission.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship (Resident Freshmen) | Up to $10,000/year (up to $40,000 total) | Oregon resident high school seniors, ~3.85+ UW GPA or 4.20 weighted, apply by Feb 1 | No—automatic via admission | Yes (4 years) | Top 1–2% of OR freshmen, academic leaders, strong activities | February 1 (priority) |
| Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship (Resident Transfers) | Up to $2,000/year | Oregon resident transfer students, ~3.75+ transfer GPA, apply by Mar 15 | No—automatic via admission | Yes (4 years) | Strong GPA, usually upper 25% of applicants | March 15 |
| Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship | 150% of in-state tuition (~$22,869/year) | Residents of WUE states/territories; apply by Feb 3 | No—automatic via admission | Yes (4 years) | High-achieving nonresidents, holistic review | February 3 |
| Provost Scholarship (Nonresident Freshmen) | Up to $12,000/year (4 years) | Nonresidents (non-WUE), ~3.00+ UW GPA, apply by Feb 1 | No—automatic via admission | Yes (4 years) | Solid academic record among nonresident pool | February 1 (priority) |
Note: GPA cutoffs and award amounts are based on OSU public info and subject to change. Always confirm your individual award details in your OSU account/offer notice.
Competitive Scholarships FAQ
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
No. Admission is the application for these scholarships; no extra steps are required.
What matters most for selection?
Your GPA, rigor of coursework, essays, and applying by the priority deadline.
Can Provost Scholarship stack with WUE?
No. WUE and Provost are mutually exclusive. If you’re eligible, OSU will award the scholarship most beneficial for your situation.
Oregon State University Honors College
The Oregon State University Honors College (HC) is a small, degree-granting college that offers an enhanced undergraduate experience and the Honors Baccalaureate. Honors students have access to small seminars, priority registration, a faculty thesis mentor, and unique funding opportunities for scholarships, research, and study abroad.
- Unweighted GPA: 3.75+ (weighted often 4.0+)
- Rigorous courses: AP/IB/honors/dual enrollment
- Demonstrated leadership, service, or original projects
- Exceptional essays in the HC application
*GPA values are estimates, subject to holistic review and applicant pool.
- Priority registration and Honors housing
- Small, seminar-style courses
- Dedicated Honors advising, research, and career support
- Funding for research, internships, and study abroad
- Faculty-mentored senior thesis/capstone
| Honors-Specific Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors College DeLoach Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000/year | Admitted HC students; selection based on merit, essays, and financial need | No (auto after HC admission; some supplemental form for certain funds) | Yes (must remain in HC; reviewed annually) | High-GPA Honors students with strong application and engagement | Nov 1 (early action); Feb 1 (final/priority for incoming freshmen) |
Honors College FAQ
Is Honors admission automatic for top GPA students?
No; all applicants must submit a full HC application, including essays. High GPA helps but the process is holistic.
Does Honors add time to graduation?
No, as long as you coordinate with your advisor. The thesis fits within your four-year plan and most majors.
Are there extra costs?
Yes, an Honors fee per term. Many students receive Honors scholarships or financial aid to offset the cost.
When should I apply?
Apply as early as possible. Early action is November 1; final/priority is February 1 for most incoming students. Some continuing scholarships for current HC students open each spring.
🎯 What Oregon State University Is Known For
Oregon State University (OSU) is the state’s largest public research institution and a public R1 Research University. As Oregon’s land-grant university, OSU is known for hands-on, science-driven programs in forestry, oceanography, engineering, and agricultural sciences. It’s one of only two U.S. universities with all four federal designations—land, sea, space, and sun grant—reflecting the breadth of its research impact.
Ranked the #1 forestry program in the United States and #2 globally (Center for World University Rankings 2025), OSU’s College of Forestry leads in sustainable forest management, wildfire science, and wood innovation. Its research helps shape policy and conservation worldwide.
- College of Engineering — Ranked among the Top 75 engineering programs nationally (U.S. News 2025) with standout departments in mechanical, civil, and computer engineering and a growing reputation in robotics and renewable energy.
- College of Agricultural Sciences — One of the Top 20 agricultural colleges in the nation, advancing food science, crop and soil management, and sustainability research across the Pacific Northwest.
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) — Ranked #3 in the world for oceanography (CWUR 2025) and home to NOAA’s research fleet, driving major discoveries in marine and climate science.
- College of Business — AACSB-accredited and ranked among the Top 100 public business schools, known for entrepreneurship, marketing, and supply chain management.
- College of Education — Recognized for teacher preparation, STEM education, and rural outreach programs serving schools across Oregon.
- Honors College — One of the most established honors programs in the Pacific Northwest, offering research funding and small-seminar experiences at a major research university.