On May 11, Governor Kate Brown declared July 25-July 29, 2022, Oregon Private College Week, siting that “Oregon’s private, nonprofit, independent college and universities are vital to Oregon’s goal for a more educated and skilled workforce, enriching local communities, and contributing to our state’s education attainment goals.” During Oregon Private College Week, twelve campuses will welcome hundreds of prospective students and their families.
“We invite prospective students and their families to discover best-in-class private higher education during Oregon Private College Week. Twelve institutions will throw their doors open to help students find the school that’s the right fit for them. Get all your questions answered by faculty, current students, and admissions staff,” said Brent Wilder, President of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (“The Alliance”). “Campus visits are the single-most important way for students to learn about the academic experience, financial support, and campus social opportunities. We are thrilled to welcome back students in-person for Oregon Private College Week.”
Together, the independent, nonprofit colleges and universities that comprise The Alliance offer degrees in more than 260 fields of study, including engineering, business, law, and computer science. Alliance institutions confer 32.3% of all education degrees in Oregon, 34.6% of all health profession degrees, 14.2% of all business and marketing degrees, and 11.5% of all public administration and social services degrees.
The majority of undergraduate students (64%) enrolled in Alliance member institutions finish their bachelor’s degrees in four years – the highest rate of completion in the state.
During Oregon Private College Week, prospective students and their families are invited to visit, explore, ask questions, learn about academic programs and financial aid, talk to admissions staff, and tour the campuses. College officials will also counter with facts many commonly held myths about private higher education:
- Private college students are economically, socially, and racially diverse. One in four undergraduates at Alliance member institutions are eligible for Federal Pell grants. Nearly twenty percent of undergraduates are the first in their family to attend college and 33% of undergraduates identify as a student of color. Forty percent of all undergraduate students hail from Oregon.
- Private colleges are focused on student success. One of the best indicators of success is class size, and the student-to-faculty ratio averages 12:1 at Alliance institutions. Faculty utilize high-impact teaching strategies that include service learning, research with faculty, internships/field experiences, and study abroad options.
- Private college is affordable. Eighty-nine percent of undergraduates at Oregon private, nonprofit colleges and universities receive institutional aid and 99.6% of first-generation students with financial need receive aid.
Information sessions and tours will begin on host campuses at 9am and 2pm every day, Monday-Friday, July 25-July 29. For more information about Oregon Private College Week, to view a list of participating colleges, or to register, please visit www.oregonprivatecolleges.com.
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The Alliance is comprised of 13 private, nonprofit, independent colleges and universities. These institutions deliver high-quality experiential learning with high-impact teaching strategies. The Alliance is the collective voice of private education in public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.oaicu.org or email info@oaicu.org.