Fact Sheet
Core Initiatives/Programs
The OICF partners with leading corporations, foundations, and individuals to promote the economic, intellectual, civic and educational contributions of its member schools in the broader community. OICF’s partnerships emphasize collaboration and are guided by four core initiatives that support scholarships and financial aid for students, campus diversity, ethics & leadership, and professional workforce development:
- Named Scholarship Programs that connect students to the area business community;
- Workforce development programs that connect OICF students with businesses and corporations for internships and employment;
- Programs that increase representation of students from underrepresented populations on OICF campuses: and,
- Opportunities that showcase OICF students’ interest in personal and professional ethics.
OICF programs find the intersection between the needs and expertise of the member colleges, corporate and foundation partner interests, and broader societal needs.
Student Profile
- Enrollment (2009-10):
- 17,500 undergraduate students
- 7,500 graduate students (at 9 colleges)
- Collectively, the OICF colleges are the size of one large public university
- 60% of students are women and 14% are from underrepresented populations
- Majors:
- Popular majors include: Education, Psychology, Biology, Business, Economics, History, English, Computer Science, Nursing, and Accounting
- OICF colleges pride themselves on producing graduates with the requisite skills to immediately transition into Oregon’s workforce; in fact, graduation statistics from the OICF colleges reveal some important facts about the impact of these colleges in the state. Annually, the ten OICF colleges and universities account for 23% of all degrees awarded in Oregon by both public and private colleges and universities:
- 23% of all Business Administration, Management & Marketing, and Economics degrees
- 60% of all 4-year Nursing degrees
- 35% of all “hard science” bachelor’s degrees (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering)
- 36% of all Education degrees
- 25% of all English, Literature, and Language degrees
- Financial aid:
- 85% of OICF students are aided by scholarships, grants, loans, and/or campus employment—average financial aid package exceeds $17,000
- 25% of OICF students receive Federal Pell grant assistance
- In fact, Oregon’s private colleges and universities enroll a larger fraction of Oregon students who come from families earning $40,000 or less than Oregon’s public universities, who in turn enroll a larger fraction of Oregon students who come from families earning $100,000 or more.
- Where do they come from?
- 54% of students call Oregon home
- 24% are from Washington or California
- 22% are from other states or foreign countries
Why Choose an Oregon Independent College
- A student attending a private Oregon college is twice as likely (56%) as a student attending a public Oregon university to complete his or her baccalaureate degree in four years (28%).
- On average, OICF colleges and universities have faculty-to-student ratios of 12:1, providing students with a personal educational experience where students gain in-depth knowledge in their major areas of study, and are prepared with the well-rounded foundations of critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, communication skills, and the ability to adapt and contribute in team environments that are hallmarks of a liberal arts education at our member institutions.