Central Oregon Community College's Madras campus is midway through a milestone fall term — the first full semester of instruction delivered inside the new 24,000-square-foot learning center that opened earlier this year. The $22 million facility has fundamentally changed what higher education access looks like for Jefferson County residents.
A New Era for Jefferson County Higher Education
The expanded Madras campus opened in early January 2026, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house held in late April. The building was constructed on 26 acres donated to the college by the Bean Foundation — a gift that made the project possible without burdening local taxpayers with the full land acquisition cost.
Among the most significant new offerings are dedicated classrooms and simulation labs for medical assistant and nursing programs — high-demand career pathways in Jefferson County and across the region. These programs allow local students to pursue healthcare careers without the long commute to COCC's main Bend campus.
Community-Driven Design
Campus Director James Rodriguez has emphasized that the project was shaped by listening first. College leadership engaged community members and local employers to identify the training gaps most affecting Jefferson County residents, and healthcare programs emerged as a clear priority.
The result is a campus that reflects local needs rather than simply replicating what already exists in Bend. Students in Madras can now access nursing prerequisites, medical assisting certification tracks, and transfer-level coursework — all within their own community.
Regional Economic Significance
An economic impact study released by COCC earlier in 2026 found that the college generates $349 million annually for Central Oregon and supports approximately 1 in every 41 regional jobs. The Madras campus expansion is a direct investment in extending that economic footprint into Jefferson County, historically one of the more underserved markets for higher education access in the state.
Enrollment and Access
The Madras campus offers transfer-level coursework, career and technical education, and community education programming. Students can pursue general education requirements toward an associate degree, enroll in professional certification programs, or take individual courses for personal or professional development.
The campus is located at 1170 E. Ashwood Road in Madras, near Juniper Hill Park. Enrollment information and full program listings are available at cocc.edu/departments/madras or by calling the campus directly.