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SPU OSU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University UO Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Portland State University University of Puget Sound CSU EOU| Southern Oregon University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
| Location | Ashland, OR | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 5,371 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #901 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | sou.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,675 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $28,305 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,248 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,433 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,108 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 92% | 99% |
Admission |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,564 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 2,946 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 82.7% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22.3% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.34 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/25 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 980/1230 | 988/1258 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 23:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 33% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,200 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 52% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,491 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $242 | $266 |
Diversity |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 13% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 60% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 10% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 10% | 1% |
Students |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 58% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 35% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Southern Oregon University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Southern Oregon University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (5,371 students vs. 2,737 students)
Southern Oregon University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Oregon University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 411.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Oregon University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $9,675.00)
- Out of state tuition is 74.8% higher at PLU than Southern Oregon University ($49,472.00 vs. $28,305.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Oregon University than PLU ($17,433 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 30.5% lower than costs at Southern Oregon University ($12,446 vs. $16,248)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Southern Oregon University (99% vs. 92%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 455.2% larger than aid received Southern Oregon University ($39,464 vs. $7,108)
Southern Oregon University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Oregon University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Southern Oregon University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 88 points higher than at Southern Oregon University (1029)
- Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Southern Oregon University (23)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34)
- Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than PLU (80.5%)
Southern Oregon University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Oregon University or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Southern Oregon University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Southern Oregon University (66% vs. 33%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $11,100 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $41,200)
- Southern Oregon University students graduate with a $2,309 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($23,491 vs. $25,800)
- Southern Oregon University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($242 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 52%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/