Southern Oregon University vs. Western Oregon State College

Deciding between Southern Oregon University and Western 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.

Southern Oregon University
Western Oregon University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR
  • Western Oregon State College Monmouth, OR
  • Setting
  • Southern Oregon University Midsize Suburban
  • Western Oregon State College Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Southern Oregon University 5,113
  • Western Oregon State College 3,722
  • Type
  • Southern Oregon University Public 4 Year
  • Western Oregon State College Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southern Oregon University #918
  • Western Oregon State College #856
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southern Oregon University -
  • Western Oregon State College -
  • Status
  • Southern Oregon University Non-profit
  • Western Oregon State College Non-profit
  • Website
  • Southern Oregon University sou.edu
  • Western Oregon State College wou.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Western Oregon State College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southern Oregon University $12,762
  • Western Oregon State College $11,879
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southern Oregon University $31,887
  • Western Oregon State College $32,534
  • Room & Board
  • Southern Oregon University $16,968
  • Western Oregon State College $12,528
  • Average Net Price
  • Southern Oregon University $17,959
  • Western Oregon State College $14,006
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southern Oregon University $8,788
  • Western Oregon State College $10,241
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southern Oregon University 91%
  • Western Oregon State College 95%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Southern Oregon University Calculate
  • Western Oregon State College Calculate
  • Applied
  • Southern Oregon University 2,320
  • Western Oregon State College 3,060
  • Admitted
  • Southern Oregon University 2,056
  • Western Oregon State College 3,002
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southern Oregon University 88.6%
  • Western Oregon State College 98.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Southern Oregon University 29.3%
  • Western Oregon State College 18.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southern Oregon University 1110
  • Western Oregon State College 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southern Oregon University 21
  • Western Oregon State College 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southern Oregon University 3.34
  • Western Oregon State College 3.36
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southern Oregon University B+
  • Western Oregon State College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southern Oregon University Moderate
  • Western Oregon State College Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Western Oregon State College
  • ACT Range
  • Southern Oregon University 18/25
  • Western Oregon State College 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Southern Oregon University 980/1230
  • Western Oregon State College 868/1108
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southern Oregon University Test-free
  • Western Oregon State College Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Western Oregon State College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Southern Oregon University 23:1
  • Western Oregon State College 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Southern Oregon University
    • Business (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Western Oregon State College
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Southern Oregon University 33%
  • Western Oregon State College 39%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Southern Oregon University $41,200
  • Western Oregon State College $41,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Southern Oregon University 52%
  • Western Oregon State College 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Southern Oregon University $23,491
  • Western Oregon State College $24,502
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Southern Oregon University $242
  • Western Oregon State College $253
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Southern Oregon University 36%
  • Western Oregon State College 34%
  • % Women
  • Southern Oregon University 64%
  • Western Oregon State College 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southern Oregon University Medium
  • Western Oregon State College Medium
  • HBCU
  • Southern Oregon University No
  • Western Oregon State College No
  • % White
  • Southern Oregon University 60%
  • Western Oregon State College 66%
  • % Asian
  • Southern Oregon University 2%
  • Western Oregon State College 4%
  • % Black
  • Southern Oregon University 3%
  • Western Oregon State College 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southern Oregon University 11%
  • Western Oregon State College 11%
  • % Native American
  • Southern Oregon University 1%
  • Western Oregon State College 2%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southern Oregon University 1%
  • Western Oregon State College 2%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southern Oregon University 10%
  • Western Oregon State College 0%
  • % International
  • Southern Oregon University 3%
  • Western Oregon State College 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southern Oregon University 10%
  • Western Oregon State College 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southern Oregon University 61%
  • Western Oregon State College 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southern Oregon University 35%
  • Western Oregon State College 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Western Oregon State College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Southern Oregon University No
  • Western Oregon State College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Western Oregon State College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Western Oregon State College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Southern Oregon University Yes
  • Western Oregon State College Yes
  • Learn More
  • Southern Oregon University Details
  • Western Oregon State College Details

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Oregon University is larger than Western Oregon State College based on total student enrollment (5,113 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Oregon University is in Monmouth, OR (Town Fringe setting).
  • Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Oregon University 23:1; Western Oregon University 13:1.

Southern Oregon University vs. Western Oregon State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Oregon University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon University than Southern Oregon University ($14,006 vs. $17,959).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Oregon University are 26.2% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($12,528 vs. $16,968).
  • Southern Oregon University is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Oregon State College (about $883 more per year; $12,762.00 vs. $11,879.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Western Oregon State College than at Southern Oregon University (about $647 more per year; $32,534.00 vs. $31,887.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Oregon University than at Southern Oregon University (95% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Oregon University students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($10,241 vs. $8,788).

Southern Oregon University vs. Western Oregon State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Oregon University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon State College and Southern Oregon University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Oregon University (1110) is 120 points higher than at Western Oregon State College (990).
  • Incoming Western Oregon State College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Oregon University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Oregon University 980/1230; Western Oregon University 868/1108.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Oregon University 18/25; Western Oregon University 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Oregon University - Test-free; Western Oregon State College - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Western Oregon State College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
  • Western Oregon State College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Southern Oregon University (88.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at Southern Oregon University vs. 18.6% at Western Oregon State College.

Southern Oregon University vs. Western Oregon State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Oregon University and Western Oregon State College? 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).

  • Western Oregon University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Southern Oregon University's (33%).
  • Graduates from Western Oregon University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Western Oregon State College graduates ($23,491 vs. $24,502).
  • Among borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Oregon State College graduates ($242 vs. $253).
  • More Western Oregon State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.