On June 4, Governor Kate Brown declared July 29-August 2, 2019, Oregon Private College Week, proclaiming 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, eleven 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. Eleven 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 Jim Bauer, 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.”
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 66% of all education degrees in Oregon, 53% of all health profession degrees, 24% of all business and marketing degrees, and 20% of all public administration and social services degrees.
The majority of undergraduate students (62%) enrolled in Alliance member institutions finish their bachelor’s degrees in four years – the highest rate of completion in the state – and 28% graduate with zero debt.
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. Nearly one in three undergraduates at Alliance member institutions are eligible for Federal Pell grants. Twenty-one percent of undergraduates are the first in their family to attend college and 32% of undergraduates identify as a student of color. Forty-three percent of all 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 11:1 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-five percent of undergraduates at Oregon private, nonprofit colleges and universities receive institutional aid. For those undergraduates at Alliance institutions who have need, 99.8% receive financial aid.
Information sessions and tours will begin on host campuses at 9am and 2pm every day, Monday-Friday, July 29-August 2. For more information about Oregon Private College Week, to view a list of participating colleges, or to register, please visit www.oregonprivatecolleges.com.