Saint Mary's College of California vs. Southern Oregon University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA 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 Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (5,113 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($17,959 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Oregon University are 3.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($16,968 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 352.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Oregon University (about $45,041 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $12,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.3% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Southern Oregon University (about $25,916 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $31,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Southern Oregon University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 382.6% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($42,407 vs. $8,788).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 50 points higher than at Southern Oregon University (1110).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southern Oregon University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Southern Oregon University 980/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Southern Oregon University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Southern Oregon University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
• Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Saint Mary's College of California (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Southern Oregon University's (33%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have a $1,509 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($23,491 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.