Southern Oregon University (SOU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Southern Oregon University
Tucked into Ashland's foothills, Southern Oregon University lives in a theatre town with mountains at the door. It's known for small classes and close faculty attention, pairing liberal-arts breadth with hands-on learning in the sciences, social sciences, business, and the arts. Facilities include studios and performance spaces, labs, a library, and a student hub for advising, tutoring, health, and counseling.
Student life blends town and trail. Clubs, shows, intramurals, and quick escapes to rivers and winter snow keep weekends full. The culture feels friendly, sustainability minded, and community engaged. Career prep leans practical, with internships tied to regional schools, nonprofits, public agencies, and arts groups. Downtown cafés and bookstores sit close, while the Oregon Shakespeare Festival adds a creative beat. Game days bring the noise.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Southern Oregon University (SOU) offers 57 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,930 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 892 graduates), Education (7 programs, 224 graduates), Business (6 programs, 194 graduates), Arts (8 programs, 126 graduates) and Psychology (1 programs, 83 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 892 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 875 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
30.9999 |
| Sustainability Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
30.3301 |
| Dispute Resolution | 6 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
30.2801 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0801 |
Education (7 programs, 224 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 102 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Multiple Level Teacher Education | 61 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1206 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 33 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Early Childhood Education | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Spanish Language Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Master's
|
13.1330 |
| Elementary Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1305 |
Business (6 programs, 194 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 164 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0301 |
| Human Resources Management | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1001 |
| E-Commerce | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0208 |
| Finance, General | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0801 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0206 |
Arts (8 programs, 126 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre Arts | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0602 |
| Art Studies | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0901 |
| Graphic Design | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0409 |
| Music Performance | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0411 |
| Theatre Directing and Production | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0507 |
Psychology (1 programs, 83 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Communication (2 programs, 71 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 59 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0101 |
Natural Resources (2 programs, 43 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
03.0103 |
| Environmental Science | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
03.0104 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 35 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology and Anthropology | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1301 |
| Social Sciences | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Political Science and Government | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 33 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 17 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0199 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0101 |
| Information Science | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0401 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0801 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Southern Oregon University (SOU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Southern Oregon University (SOU)
How much does it cost to attend Southern Oregon University (SOU)?
The annual tuition at Southern Oregon University (SOU) is $12,093 for in-state students and $30,723 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $30,840 for in-state students and $49,470 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,248 (on) / $15,440 (off) and books and supplies $999.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Southern Oregon University offer?
Southern Oregon University (SOU) offers 57 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (4 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (7 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (8 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Southern Oregon University?
Southern Oregon University (SOU) has an 82.7% acceptance rate and a 22.3% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 3,564
- Students admitted: 2,946
- Students enrolled: 657
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Southern Oregon University?
Southern Oregon University (SOU) provides financial aid to 13% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $7,108 and average loans of $5,323.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,078
- State/Local grants: $3,639
- Institutional grants: $4,096
- Federal loans: $5,323
The university supports 482 students with grants and 215 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Southern Oregon University graduates?
Southern Oregon University (SOU) graduates earn a median salary of $39,326 after 6 years and $49,175 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $29,348 (25th percentile) to $69,631 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,800 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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