Southern Oregon University
#6 Best Online Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,175 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,732 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Online Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,242,595.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 21% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 43% — 24% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Oregon University Matters
Southern Oregon University is a public university in Ashland, OR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,751
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Psychology, Business & Marketing, Communications, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Southern Oregon University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 89% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,732 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,175 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $20,332 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 42% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.44 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Oregon University in Ashland is a great fit for students who are looking for a supportive environment and a range of programs to explore. With an acceptance rate of 89%, it welcomes a diverse group of learners, making it an accessible option for many. Students here often dive into study areas like Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, and Business & Marketing, which are popular choices among the roughly 2,751 enrolled.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $49,175 within ten years. That’s a solid figure, especially when considering the affordable net price of $16,732 after aid. While the graduation rate is 43%, it reflects the challenges some students may face in completing their degrees. However, there is potential for upward mobility, particularly for those who engage fully with their studies and campus resources.
On the financial side, the median debt for graduates is $20,332, which is manageable for many, especially given the potential earnings. The affordability of Southern Oregon University makes it appealing to students who are budget-conscious. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and willing to take advantage of the unique opportunities available in this vibrant community.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Oregon University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Oregon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Oregon University, located in Ashland, Oregon, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,721
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 23:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 2,126
- Admitted
- 1,870
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Oregon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Oregon University is $31,887, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,732. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,830 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,332 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,762
- Out-of-State
- $31,887
- Avg Net Price
- $16,732
- Median Debt
- $20,332
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,830
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,466
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,813
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,181
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southern Oregon University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Oregon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $49,175, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,326
- 8 Years
- $45,016
- 10 Years
- $49,175
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
How Southern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southern Oregon University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Oregon University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,732/year ($66,928 total). Graduates earn $49,175 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,309,523 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,242,595 (19.6× your investment). The median debt is $20,332, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,928
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,309,523
- Net Return
- $1,242,595
- ROI Multiple
- 19.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,732
- Median Debt
- $20,332
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southern Oregon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Oregon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.61%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.61%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,670
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,466,639
- Investment Income
- $-1,321,061
Top Programs
The fields Southern Oregon University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Psychology 14% $31,771 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $47,548 early-career
- Communications 11% $36,884 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 11% $25,323 early-career
- Education 8% $34,840 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $39,438 early-career
- English & Literature 5% $25,014 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $30,854 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Oregon University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Oregon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Oregon University, located in Ashland, Oregon, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Oregon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Oregon University is $31,887, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,732. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,830 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,332 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Oregon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $49,175, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Oregon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Oregon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.61%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Oregon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Oregon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Oregon University.
- SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi, NY · Close peer47% grad $51,629 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Framingham State UniversityFramingham, MA · Close peer49% grad $52,349 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD · Close peer51% grad $55,493 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NY · Close peer41% grad $47,860 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · Close peer43% grad $46,001 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA · Close peer54% grad $53,874 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Oregon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Oregon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note