Message from Executive Director Ben Cannon
This a time of resounding celebration for tens of thousands of graduates who are earning their degrees and credentials at Oregon institutions this year. In the buzz of commencement news during May and June, I am reminded how much one person's success in their education and career can multiply and spread positive impacts to others in their community.
In 2023-24, Oregonians earned more than 40,000 degrees and other credentials across Oregon's public and private institutions, and institutions enrolled more than 290,000 undergraduate learners. I am happy for every learner's success, and equally excited for what their success means for the future.
Oregon graduates go on to prosper in their careers and help Oregon's economy, serve critical community needs, gain economic mobility, and advance original research and knowledge. They address complex challenges faced by our society, contribute to artistic and cultural vitality, engage in civic and democratic processes, and inspire future generations to likewise pursue their dreams and build futures. A strong public postsecondary system that protects accessibility for people from all backgrounds; welcomes diversity from across the U.S. and across the world; and fosters understanding, knowledge, and innovation, makes these reverberating positive impacts possible.
This month we at the HECC concluded our budget presentations to the Oregon Legislature (read more on this below) where we and many of our partners focused on the clear short-term and long-term returns on the state's investment in higher education and workforce training. The most recent national report on our funding status (details in the SHEF report below) shows that while Oregon's public investment per student has increased and we are making progress, Oregon continues to rank low at 37th among states in per student funding. We thank our many partners, students, and learners who joined us in engaging legislators on the funding needs of the many types of higher education and workforce programs statewide. Having served as an Oregon legislator years ago myself, I know how critical it is to hear the stories of people whose lives are directly affected by programs.
In addition to the important work of informing policymakers this session, the HECC has been busy with our ongoing roles in careful stewardship of current funding, policy, and programs, and this newsletter highlights some work underway, including innovative work on college credit in high school, public processes involving administrative rules, and more. And lastly, we continue in our mission while we monitor the potential impact of federal changes, and we are keeping partners informed of any impacts on our federal changes website page here.
Thanks, as always, for your partnership and engagement. And warm congratulations to all 2025 graduates!
Partner Presentations and Many Student and Community Voices Speak to the Impact of Higher Education and Workforce Investments
On May 1, Executive Director Ben Cannon and HECC Vice Chair Greg Hamann presented concluding remarks after more than a month of HECC and partner presentations to the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education on the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) for higher education and training in Oregon. Director Cannon emphasized that the HECC's presentation of a consolidated budget request includes state investments in the many different types of pathways supported by the postsecondary enterprise, from apprenticeships to workforce training to college and university degrees. In presenting the combined and often inter-dependent funding needs of institutions, financial aid, and workforce training strategies in one consolidated state budget, we aim to keep the focus on the needs of learners and Oregonians. This is a deeply collaborative project.
In addition to the six presentations by the HECC that began the Committee’s considerations of the higher education and workforce budget bill (Senate Bill 5525), the Subcommittee engaged with many presenters over the course of April, including representatives from Oregon's community colleges, public universities, workforce boards, statewide programs, and Oregon Health & Science University. In addition, many Oregon students, educators, workers, tribal partners, business representatives, and community members shared their individual perspectives about the wide-ranging impacts of higher education investments during the many opportunities for public testimony. We thank all our partners who presented and collaborated with the HECC, and all Oregonians who testified to the Oregon Legislature on the impact of the state higher education and workforce investments.
SHEF Report Shows Oregon Higher Education Funding Trends in Comparison to National Trends
Investments in Affordability Pay Off, Though Oregon Still Trails in Total Public Funding per Student
The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), of which HECC is a member, released its annual State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) report on May 14. This report is the gold standard for interstate comparisons of higher education finance, examining the trends, context, and consequences of state higher education funding decisions through fiscal year 2024 (the 2023-24 academic year). The HECC has produced a summary of SHEF findings for Oregon, and more information is available in a state profile posted on SHEEO’s website. Highlights for Oregon include:
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Enrollment has grown 3.8 percent in the most recent year (2023-24), after a decade of steep declines. Oregon’s public institution enrollment declines from 2014-2023 were twice as steep as the national average.
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Oregon's public investment per student has increased but continues to rank low among states. At $8,625, Oregon’s total public investment in public higher education institutions per student remains well below the national average of $11,683 and ranks 37th overall among all states. Still, since 2014, this figure has increased 56 percent after adjusting for inflation, a greater increase than in all but seven states. Per student data is expressed per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, and public funding includes institutional support (for community colleges and universities combined) and student financial aid.
- Looking at just Oregon public universities, this rate is $6,200 per FTE student, and significantly lags the national average, ranking 46th among states.
- Looking at just Oregon community colleges, this rate is $12,224 per FTE student, ranking 15th among states. Note: this ranking lagged behind the national average as recently as 2019 but went up as enrollment declined.
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Financial aid investments increased by 34 percent. At $1,224 per student, Oregon’s state investment in financial aid has grown 186 percent since 2014 and has now surpassed the national average, though it is below that of Washington.
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Tuition revenue in Oregon on a per-student basis declined in the most recent year, but is still significantly higher than the national. This is only the second year-to-year, non-recession decline in net tuition revenue per FTE in the last 25 years. Oregon public institutions generated $9,700 net tuition revenue per student in 2024, compared to a national average of $7,510.
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With tuition and public investment combined, funding trails the national average: At $18,325 per student, Oregon’s total educational revenue for public institutions trails the national average by four percent.
Stay Engaged with the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Process at the HECC
Did you know that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission has the authority to maintain Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that guide our programs? When a law creates new programs or changes how existing programs operate at the HECC, the legislation itself does not always explain the details of how activities or programs should be implemented. Instead, the legislature authorizes the HECC to develop rules that help us carry out the purpose of the law. The agency welcomes your feedback on all proposed permanent rules through a public comment process.
This information and other frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available on HECC’s newly updated OAR webpage, along with a new annual calendar of anticipated rulemaking activity. We are pleased to offer these resources for increasing awareness and transparency for rulemaking activities in response to Governor Kotek's letter of expectation sent to State agency leaders in early 2025. The newly developed FAQs clearly explain the OAR process for those who may be new to it, including:
- What is an OAR?
- Why is the administrative rulemaking process relevant to the public?
- How and when can I participate in the rulemaking process at HECC?
So far in 2025, the HECC approved rules on the community college funding distribution for Applied Baccalaureate programs. The HECC anticipates pursuing rulemaking on numerous topics this year, including: capital construction, measures of success for statewide transfer work, emergency medical services accreditation, amending community college teacher qualifications, campus Sexual Misconduct Survey requirements, and more.
You can stay up to date on these and all other upcoming rule actions by subscribing to HECC’s email updates here and enabling the “Public Meeting and Rules Hearing Notices” topic.
Oregon’s Innovative Model for Dual Credit Is Building Teacher Capacity through Partnership
Across Oregon, one model for earning college credit in high school is growing steadily—and its unique approach to teacher qualifications may be part of the reason for its growth.
Sponsored dual credit is unlike any state-level dual enrollment policy in the country. Instead of requiring high school teachers to have equivalent qualifications to college faculty in the dual enrollment subject area, teachers are qualified through partnerships with the college faculty members teaching the course.
Oregon has seen an expansion of this model, now called sponsored dual credit. In 2016, HECC adopted state standards to give structure to sponsored dual credit as it grew. Today, 17 institutions statewide use this model, among them three universities and 14 community colleges, and more than a quarter of all college credit in high school in Oregon is sponsored dual credit.
To better understand this innovation, Education Northwest, in partnership with the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE), is conducting an impact study funded by the Dual Enrollment Research Fund. Better understanding will lead to better state policy.
The study has already resulted in a research brief, and more will follow this year. The results from this study will inform HECC and ODE’s work representing Oregon in the Next Phase in Dual Enrollment Policy initiative, a multi-state project hosted by the College in High School Alliance in which Oregon is an active participant.
Oregon Promise Sees High Demand, Sets Tentative Eligibility Limit
The HECC Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) has started awarding Oregon Promise grants with tentative eligibility criteria for new applicants due to a high volume of applications. High school seniors have a deadline of June 1 to apply. Visit the Oregon Promise webpage for all information on eligibility and applications, including answers to frequently asked questions.
For new applicants (Class of 2025), OSAC has set a tentative Student Aid Index (SAI) limit of 18,000 for eligibility. This means eligible students with an SAI below the SAI limit are receiving notifications of awards. Students who have an SAI at or above 18,000 are in a PENDING status. In July 2025, a final decision will be made if the SAI limit will be adjusted or finalized, based on total applicants and available funds. Regardless of SAI, all students must apply by their deadline to be considered for an award.
OSAC has a high number of new applicants and renewals this year, more than the agency would be able to support with the expected current service level budget for the 2025-27 biennium. When eligible applicants outpace state funding for the Oregon Promise, OSAC must use a cost control measure for new Oregon Promise Grant applicants based on financial need (as calculated by a student’s SAI, which is determined by the FAFSA or ORSAA) to remain within budget. The final decision on the SAI limit will be made after all application deadlines have passed and the Oregon legislature has determined a final budget for the 2025-27 biennium. The deadline for most applicants is June 1.
Academic Program Approvals
At recent public meetings (February 13, April 10, and May 8, 2025), the Higher Education Coordinating Commission approved the following new academic programs and/or new program locations at the public community colleges and universities. View details in the Commission materials here.
Community Colleges:
- Central Oregon Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN); Photography/Videography, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0);
User Experience and Interface Design, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0)
- Chemeketa Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN)
- Clackamas Community College - Child Care Specialist Apprenticeship, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0); Medical Assistant, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0)
- Klamath Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN)
- Lane Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN); Respiratory Care, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Linn-Benton Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN)
- Mt. Hood Community College - Physical Therapist Aide, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0); Integrated Metals: Advanced Welding Technology, Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0)
- Oregon Coast Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN)
- Portland Community College - Associate Addiction Counselor, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Honda PACT, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Airplane with Flight Instructor, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Airplane without Flight Instructor, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Animation and Motion Graphics, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Cisco Networking Less Than One Year Certificate (CC0)
- Treasure Valley Community College - Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN)
Public Universities:
- Oregon State University - Healthcare Administration, Bachelor of Science (BS); Wood Innovation and Sustainability, Professional Science Master's (PSM); Accountancy, Bachelor of Science (BS); Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Master of Science (MS)
- Portland State University - Semiconductor Technology, Master of Science (MS)
- University of Oregon - Material Science and Technology, Bachelor of Science (BS); Historic Preservation, Master of Science (MS) (New Location); School Psychology, Education Specialist Degree (EdS) (New Location, New Program)
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