Southern Oregon University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 2,751 students.
About This School
Southern Oregon University is a public institution located in Ashland, Oregon with approximately 2,751 undergraduate students enrolled. Southern Oregon University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 89%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,732 per year. The graduation rate is 43%, and the typical graduate earns $43,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a public university in Ashland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1872 as the Ashland Academy, has been in its current location since 1926, and was known by nine other names before assuming its current name in 1997. Its Ashland campus — just 14 miles (23 km) from Oregon's border with California — encompasses 175 acres (71 ha). Five of SOU's newest facilities have achieved LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. SOU is headquarters for Jefferson Public Radio and public access station Rogue Valley Community Television. The university has been governed since 2015 by the SOU Board of Trustees.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $16,470/year and low median debt of $15,000 are genuine strengths, especially for students drawn to Ashland's arts scene and SOU's scenic campus. However, the 44% graduation rate and 68% freshman retention rate are real concerns — nearly a third of students leave after year one, which is worth taking seriously. Worth considering if you're self-motivated, have a clear plan, and want an affordable small-school experience in Southern Oregon, but come in with eyes open.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,751 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Oregon
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR · Public
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR · Public
Portland Community College
Portland, OR · Public
Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR · Public
Lane Community College
Eugene, OR · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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