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Ashland , OR
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a prestigious public university located in Ashland, Oregon. Established in 1926, SOU is renowned for its excellent academic programs, scenic campus, and strong sense of community. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice, SOU has become a hub for progressive thinking and innovative ideas.
One of the standout features of Southern Oregon University is its diverse range of academic programs. From liberal arts to sciences, business, education, and performing arts, SOU offers more than 35 undergraduate degrees and several graduate programs. The university's faculty members are highly experienced and dedicated, providing quality education and mentorship to their students. Additionally, SOU emphasizes a broad-based education that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and active engagement.
SOU's stunning campus is nestled in the picturesque Rogue Valley, surrounded by mountains and natural beauty. The university's commitment to sustainability is evident in its eco-friendly practices. It boasts LEED-certified buildings, a solar farm, and various renewable energy sources, reflecting its dedication to environmental responsibility. The campus also offers state-of-the-art facilities, including modern laboratories, performance spaces, and a library with extensive resources. With numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams, SOU provides students with ample opportunities for extracurricular involvement and a vibrant campus life.
Overall, Southern Oregon University provides a high-quality education in a picturesque setting. It is a place where students can foster intellectual growth, engage in hands-on learning experiences, and develop lifelong friendships. With its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and academic excellence, SOU has established itself as a leading institution in the Pacific Northwest.
Located in Ashland, OR, Southern Oregon University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This educational institution operates on a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at Southern Oregon University is 68% and the six-year graduation rate is 43%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Southern Oregon University.
Quick Facts
4,235
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
23:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
43%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Discover some relevant data about admission at Southern Oregon University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,056 in 2024. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 2, 27 between 24-29, 60 in the range between 18-23, and 11 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.18. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Southern Oregon University was 68%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 43%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right place for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution had an enrollment of 4,777 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 20% for that year. There was a total of 4,235 undergrad students, including 101 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 480.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 923 male and 1,643 female full-time students in 2024. 63 full-time graduate men and 144 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 179, and the number of Afro-American students was 45. There were also 297 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Southern Oregon University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Southern Oregon University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $10,719. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $30,735. For international students, tuition fees at this school totaled $30,735, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $2,579 in 2024.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,735 | $2,579 | $33,314 |
| In-State | $10,719 | $2,579 | $13,298 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. Most students have to give about $999 for books and supplies during their time at Southern Oregon University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, room and board cost at Southern Oregon University amounted to $18,863 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 stood at $13,103 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,719 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,863 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 999 |
| Total Expense | $ 30,581 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for completing your studies. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Southern Oregon University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 353 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $5,118.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 3,614 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Southern Oregon University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 3,913. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $10,135,160, and state $592,574. The students of Southern Oregon University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,344,616, and external in the amount of $885,624.
$7,237
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
95 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 27 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $10,135,160 while the state aid is $7,537. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $814,845. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $281,934 USD.
Majors
Faculty
23:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Southern Oregon University was 23:1: that means 23 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 231 faculty members. This number included 96 male and 135 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Southern Oregon University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Southern Oregon University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some information about social life at Southern Oregon University.
Its campus spans 175 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 65. The most popular student organization is Omicron Delta Kappa, followed by Hoopaa Hawaii Club and Impact (religious club). Other popular organizations at Southern Oregon University are International Student Association and Native American Student Union.
For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a passion for media and communication? Southern Oregon University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Southern Oregon University provides a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Southern Oregon University.
All in all, campus life at Southern Oregon University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Southern Oregon University.
Career Counselling
At Southern Oregon University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, OR.
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Southern Oregon University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Southern Oregon University is 88%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Southern Oregon University is 68%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
