Oregon State University has a growing Ecampus, or on-line degree program, that's ranked among the top 10 nationally. The school has been experiencing an enrollment boom over the last decade and is trying to accommodate students by broadening options.
Engineering is the most popular major at Oregon State. Vice President of University Relations Steve Clark says nationally an estimated 980,000 new engineers will be needed in America in the near future. He anticipates 7,400 engineering students this year at OSU-- up from last year. Clark says many of those students will never come to campus. People getting online degrees come from across the country.
Clark: "65 or so percent are Oregonians who presently are employed, have a family or a personal circumstance where they cannot attend classes in Corvallis and Bend and are taking online courses because they fit their schedule and the classes fit their needs."
Oregon State grew by 1,600 students in 2013. Their enrollment last fall was nearly 28,000. Clark says the school is trying to accommodate the growth with its Ecampus, and by expanding its Bend campus to offer 4 year degrees starting in fall of 2015. OSU is launching a new marine studies program in Newport.
