Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southern Oregon University at a Glance
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, located 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 …
1872
154 years old
$38M
$38 million (2021)
5,113
4,235 undergrad · 878 grad
320
175 acres
Identity
Is Southern Oregon University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Southern Oregon University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,175 — 9% below average — while paying $16,732/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southern Oregon University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southern Oregon University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OR
Ranked #114 of 167 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #114 | Southern Oregon University | 32 | $16,732 | $49,175 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Southern Oregon University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in OR.
Best Programs at Southern Oregon University
The highest-earning program at Southern Oregon University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $38,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Southern Oregon University earns $38,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $25,025 in median debt vs. $24,022 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,732/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,600 | $38,600 | $25,025 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,000 | $32,000 | $24,286 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,700 | $31,700 | $19,796 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $19,033 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,300 | $29,300 | $23,500 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,423 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $19,984 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,600 | $17,600 | $24,022 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Ashland, OR
- Student Body
- 2,751 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,732
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,175
- Median Student Debt
- $20,332