Colleges › Oregon › Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University admits nearly everyone — 88.6% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Southern Oregon University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Southern Oregon University occupies suburban Ashland, OR — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $75,596 four years out. Faculty pay averages $116,652 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,751 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 67.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Southern Oregon University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
Southern Oregon University does not use test scores in admissions at all: the 88.6% who got into Southern Oregon University did it on GPA, coursework and application alone. No score range exists to publish.
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Southern Oregon University received 3,564 applications and admitted 2,946 (82.7%), with 657 enrolling.
How Southern Oregon University compares
| Southern Oregon University | Oregon median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 88.6% | 88.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $12,762 | $22,220 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $49,175 | $57,671 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Southern Oregon University's median earnings are $49,175 — below the Oregon benchmark of $57,671. Weigh that against the $12,762 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Southern Oregon University prices by residency: $12,762 in-state versus $31,887 out-of-state — a $19,125 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Southern Oregon University enrolls 2,751 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Southern Oregon University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
42.5% graduate within six years. Roughly 57% don't — ask a Southern Oregon University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Southern Oregon University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $75,596 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,171 |
| Mathematics | $64,748 |
| Biology, General | $63,008 |
| Social Sciences, General | $61,526 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,008 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,299 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,584 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $52,763 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,706 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,511 |
| Psychology, General | $48,217 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $44,945 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $43,982 |
| History | $43,195 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $43,044 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $38,487 |
| Music | $36,201 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $36,135 |
Median earnings for these 19 Southern Oregon University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $49,175 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 29 additional Southern Oregon University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Southern Oregon University?
Southern Oregon University doesn't look at test scores; its 88.6% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Southern Oregon University's acceptance rate?
82.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,946 admitted from 3,564 applicants.
How much does Southern Oregon University cost?
In-state tuition is $12,762; out-of-state students pay $31,887. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Southern Oregon University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $49,175 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Oregon
- Corban University — 93.9% admitted
- Western Oregon University — 98.1% admitted
- University of Portland — 89.2% admitted
- Portland State University — 90.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.