Reed vs. Southern Oregon University

Deciding between Reed College and Southern Oregon University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Reed College
Southern Oregon University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Reed Portland, OR
  • Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR
  • Setting
  • Reed Large City
  • Southern Oregon University Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Reed 1,358
  • Southern Oregon University 5,113
  • Type
  • Reed Private 4 Year
  • Southern Oregon University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Reed #77
  • Southern Oregon University #918
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Reed -
  • Southern Oregon University -
  • Status
  • Reed Non-profit
  • Southern Oregon University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Reed
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Reed $69,350
  • Southern Oregon University $12,762
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Reed $69,350
  • Southern Oregon University $31,887
  • Room & Board
  • Reed $17,660
  • Southern Oregon University $16,968
  • Average Net Price
  • Reed $30,953
  • Southern Oregon University $17,959
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Reed $55,445
  • Southern Oregon University $8,788
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Reed 58%
  • Southern Oregon University 91%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Reed 9,431
  • Southern Oregon University 2,320
  • Admitted
  • Reed 2,321
  • Southern Oregon University 2,056
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Reed 24.6%
  • Southern Oregon University 88.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Reed 13.1%
  • Southern Oregon University 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Reed 1410
  • Southern Oregon University 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Reed 32
  • Southern Oregon University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Reed 4.0
  • Southern Oregon University 3.34
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Reed A/A+
  • Southern Oregon University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Reed Exceptional
  • Southern Oregon University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Reed High
  • Southern Oregon University
  • ACT Range
  • Reed 30/34
  • Southern Oregon University 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • Reed 1290/1520
  • Southern Oregon University 980/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Reed Test optional
  • Southern Oregon University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Reed
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Reed 9:1
  • Southern Oregon University 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Reed
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Foreign Languages (15%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
  • Southern Oregon University
    • Business (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Reed 80%
  • Southern Oregon University 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Reed $47,200
  • Southern Oregon University $41,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Reed 84%
  • Southern Oregon University 52%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Reed $16,000
  • Southern Oregon University $23,491
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Reed $165
  • Southern Oregon University $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Reed 42%
  • Southern Oregon University 36%
  • % Women
  • Reed 58%
  • Southern Oregon University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Reed Medium
  • Southern Oregon University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Reed No
  • Southern Oregon University No
  • % White
  • Reed 60%
  • Southern Oregon University 60%
  • % Asian
  • Reed 5%
  • Southern Oregon University 2%
  • % Black
  • Reed 2%
  • Southern Oregon University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Reed 11%
  • Southern Oregon University 11%
  • % Native American
  • Reed 0%
  • Southern Oregon University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Reed 0%
  • Southern Oregon University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Reed 8%
  • Southern Oregon University 10%
  • % International
  • Reed 7%
  • Southern Oregon University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Reed 5%
  • Southern Oregon University 10%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Reed 16%
  • Southern Oregon University 61%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Reed 77%
  • Southern Oregon University 35%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Reed Yes
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Reed No
  • Southern Oregon University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Reed Yes
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Reed No
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Reed No
  • Southern Oregon University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Reed College in Portland, OR with Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Oregon University is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (5,113 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Reed College 9:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

Reed vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Reed or Southern Oregon University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Oregon University than Reed ($17,959 vs. $30,953).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Oregon University are 3.9% lower than at Reed College ($16,968 vs. $17,660).
  • Reed College is 443.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Oregon University (about $56,588 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $12,762.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 117.5% higher at Reed than at Southern Oregon University (about $37,463 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $31,887.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Oregon University than at Reed College (91% vs. 58%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 530.9% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($55,445 vs. $8,788).

Reed vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Reed or Southern Oregon University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southern Oregon University and Reed.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 300 points higher than at Southern Oregon University (1110).
  • Incoming Reed students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at Southern Oregon University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 1290/1520; Southern Oregon University 980/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 30/34; Southern Oregon University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Reed - Test optional; Southern Oregon University - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
  • Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Reed (24.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

Reed vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Reed and Southern Oregon University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Reed College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Southern Oregon University's (33%).
  • Graduates from Reed College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $7,491 lower median loan debt than Southern Oregon University graduates ($16,000 vs. $23,491).
  • Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Oregon University graduates ($165 vs. $242).
  • More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.