During Oregon Private College Week, twelve campuses will welcome hundreds of prospective students and their families.
“It’s important for prospective students to find the school that’s the best fit for them, that best supports their college and career aspirations,” said Kristen Grainger, President of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (The Alliance). “Campus visits are the best way for students to get a sense of a particular school and envision themselves as a part of that community.”
Together, The Alliance’s member colleges and universities offer degrees in more than 260 fields of study, including engineering, business, law, and computer science. Oregon’s private, nonprofit higher education sector enrolls 19 percent of the state’s undergraduate students, awards 23 percent of its undergraduate degrees, and confers one in four of STEM and health baccalaureate degrees earned by students of color.
The majority of undergraduate students (61 percent) enrolled in Alliance member institutions finish their bachelor’s degrees in four years, the highest rate of completion in the state. More than one in four graduate with zero school 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:
– Nearly one in three undergraduates at an Alliance member institution receives/is eligible for Federal Pell grants.
– Student loan default rates of students who graduate from one of Oregon’s private, nonprofit colleges are the lowest in the state, and half that of four-year private nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.
– Ninety-three percent of first time, first year students at private, nonprofit colleges and universities receive financial aid, with an average grant and scholarship award of over $20,000 per year.
Campus visitation sessions will begin on participating campuses at 9 a.m. and at 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 24-28. For more information about Oregon Private College Week, or to view a list of participating colleges, or to register, please visit www.oregonprivatecolleges.com.
About The Alliance
The Alliance represents 18 of Oregon’s regionally accredited, nonprofit private institutions of higher education. Together, Alliance colleges and universities enroll more than 35,000 students, conferring approximately one in four baccalaureate degrees and about half of the master’s and doctoral degrees awarded in Oregon. More than one in four graduates complete their degrees with zero debt; average debt for those students who graduate with debt is on par with the national and Oregon average. The Alliance intersects the needs of business and industry, with private nonprofit colleges and the public good to create real solutions that build a more educated and skilled workforce for Oregon.
For more information visit www.oaicu.org.
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