Nine months after Central Oregon Community College officially opened its expanded, transformed Madras campus in January 2026, the investment is paying off for Jefferson County students. Enrollment is growing, new career programs are drawing students who once had to commute to Bend, and the campus is delivering on its promise of bringing college-level opportunity to the north end of Central Oregon.
The newly completed learning center — which opened January 5 — brought a significantly larger physical footprint and expanded program offerings to the Madras campus, which had operated in a more limited capacity since its founding in 2011.
Health Care and Education Career Tracks
Among the most significant additions to the Madras campus are career-focused programs in health care and education — two fields with strong local employer demand in Jefferson County. These programs allow students to pursue credentials and degrees without relocating or making the daily round-trip to COCC's main Bend campus.
For a county where workforce needs in health care and education are persistent, having a pipeline of locally trained students represents a meaningful long-term benefit. Jefferson County has historically faced challenges recruiting and retaining health care and education workers, and growing that talent from within the community is a strategy that resonates with local employers and officials alike.
Deer Ridge Program Expands Access
COCC also expanded its programming at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras, introducing a new associate degree program for incarcerated students. Research consistently shows that access to higher education inside correctional facilities reduces recidivism and improves long-term outcomes — for individuals and communities alike.
The Deer Ridge program reflects COCC's commitment to educational access for all members of the Jefferson County community, not just traditional college-age students.
A Campus Built for the Community
The Madras campus expansion was made possible in part through the "Growing Together" fundraising campaign, which concluded with a $100,000 grant from the Tykeson Family Foundation in December 2025. That gift helped push major fundraising across the finish line ahead of the January opening.
The campus serves the northern Central Oregon region — including Madras, Culver, Metolius, Warm Springs, and Crooked River Ranch — and offers not just degree and certificate programs, but also workforce development, student support services, and live-streaming capabilities for courses offered at other campuses.
What's Ahead This Fall
Fall term 2026 is now underway at COCC. Students interested in exploring programs at the Madras campus can visit cocc.edu/departments/madras or stop by the campus in person. The campus offers advising and enrollment support to help new students navigate their options, whether they're pursuing a two-year degree, a short-term certificate, or transferring credits toward a four-year university program.
For Jefferson County residents looking to advance their careers or change direction, the COCC Madras campus is closer — and more capable — than it's ever been.