Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · founded 1868 · 35,000 students · public research university · Pac-12 Conference

Known for: A leading land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant research university, internationally recognized for its programs in forestry, oceanography, engineering, and agricultural sciences.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #151
QS World: #601
Times Higher Education: #501
ARWU Shanghai: #201
Forbes: #185

Top programmes

Forestry
Oceanography
Engineering (especially Robotics, Nuclear)
Agricultural Sciences
Pharmacy
Computer Science

Notable alumni

Linus Pauling — Only person to win two unshared Nobel Prizes (Chemistry & Peace)
Brenda K. Johnson — NASA astronaut
Douglas Engelbart — Inventor of the computer mouse
Mercedes Bates — First female Vice President at General Mills, 'Betty Crocker'
John Byrne — Former CEO of State Farm Insurance
Bernie Foster — Co-founder of the 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Issue
Gary Payton — NBA Hall of Fame basketball player
Chadwick Tromp — Professional baseball player

Traditions

The Bell Tower chimes
Homecoming and Dad's Weekend
Platt-13 (secret society)
Beaver Dam student section

If Oregon State University were…

As a food: Dungeness crab with hazelnut crust — Like this Oregon fusion dish, OSU combines rugged, hands-on harvest (marine research, forestry) with sophisticated technical crust (engineering, computing), creating something deeply local yet globally relevant.
As an athlete: Tim Duncan — Like the 'Big Fundamental' NBA star who mastered basics without flash, OSU excels through consistent, workmanlike excellence in practical fields - no theatrics, just championship-level results in forestry, engineering, a
As a person alive today: Bill Gates (philanthropy era) — Like the Microsoft founder who now solves global problems through practical philanthropy, OSU focuses on applied research that feeds the hungry, houses the homeless, and sustains the planet - engineering solutions over t
As a historical figure: George Washington Carver — Like the agricultural scientist who turned humble peanuts into hundreds of practical applications, OSU transforms Oregon's natural resources - trees, waves, crops - into innovative solutions through patient, hands-on exp
As a movie or TV show: The Martian (book version) — Like Andy Weir's novel about an astronaut surviving through systematic problem-solving, OSU specializes in practical science that keeps people alive and thriving - whether growing food in harsh conditions or engineering
As a US president: Herbert Hoover — Like the engineer-president who organized famine relief through systematic efficiency, OSU approaches global challenges with practical, non-ideological problem-solving - feeding people and managing resources through appl
As a city: Rotterdam — Like the Dutch port city that combines pragmatic engineering (storm barriers, container shipping) with sustainable innovation, OSU masters the practical science of living with natural forces - from wave research to fores
As an element: Silicon — Like this semiconductor element that forms the foundation of both computer chips and natural sand, OSU bridges digital innovation and earth sciences, creating practical technology rooted in deep understanding of natural
As a car: Subaru Outback Wilderness — Practical, outdoorsy, and beloved in the Pacific Northwest for balancing rugged capability with accessible engineering. Corvallis's collaborative STEM ethos meets trailhead parking lot ubiquity.

Campus life

OSU offers a collaborative, friendly campus atmosphere with a strong focus on STEM and hands-on research. Corvallis is a classic college town, and students enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant intramural sports scene, and a less intense party culture than some large schools.