San Francisco State vs. Southern Oregon University

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than Southern Oregon University based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 5,113 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

San Francisco State vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State University than Southern Oregon University ($13,168 vs. $17,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Oregon University are 23.8% lower than at San Francisco State University ($16,968 vs. $22,266).
• Southern Oregon University is 60.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $4,812 more per year; $12,762.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.2% higher at Southern Oregon University than at San Francisco State University (about $11,337 more per year; $31,887.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Oregon University than at San Francisco State University (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 47.9% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($12,996 vs. $8,788).

San Francisco State vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Oregon University (1110) is 80 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming Southern Oregon University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; Southern Oregon University 980/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; Southern Oregon University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; Southern Oregon University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Southern Oregon University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Southern Oregon University (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

San Francisco State vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State 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).

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Southern Oregon University's (33%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $6,241 lower median loan debt than Southern Oregon University graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,491).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Oregon University graduates ($178 vs. $242).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.