Portland State University vs. Southern Oregon University

Portland State University and Southern Oregon University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Portland State University
Southern Oregon University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Southern Oregon University (88.6% admitted vs 90.9%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: Portland State University. Average net price is $10,195 vs $17,959 at Southern Oregon University.
  • Graduation: Portland State University 38% vs Southern Oregon University 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Portland State University $48,600 vs Southern Oregon University $41,200 (median).
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Key differences

Portland State University Southern Oregon University
Acceptance rate
Southern Oregon University more selective
Portland State University90.9%
Southern Oregon University88.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Portland State University higher
Portland State University1000-1250
Southern Oregon University980-1230
Average net price
Portland State University $7,764 less
Portland State University$10,195
Southern Oregon University$17,959
In-state tuition
Portland State University $1,083 less
Portland State University$11,679
Southern Oregon University$12,762
Out-of-state tuition
Portland State University $813 less
Portland State University$31,074
Southern Oregon University$31,887
Graduation rate
Portland State University +5 pts
Portland State University38%
Southern Oregon University33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Portland State University +$7,400
Portland State University$48,600
Southern Oregon University$41,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Portland State University 9,077
  • Southern Oregon University 2,320
  • Admitted
  • Portland State University 8,248
  • Southern Oregon University 2,056
  • Acceptance rate
  • Portland State University 90.9%
  • Southern Oregon University 88.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Portland State University 18.2%
  • Southern Oregon University 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Portland State University 1130
  • Southern Oregon University 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Portland State University 20
  • Southern Oregon University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Portland State University 3.36
  • Southern Oregon University 3.34
  • Typical high school grades
  • Portland State University B+
  • Southern Oregon University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Portland State University Moderate
  • Southern Oregon University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Portland State University
  • Southern Oregon University
  • SAT range
  • Portland State University 1000-1250
  • Southern Oregon University 980-1230
  • ACT range
  • Portland State University 17-24
  • Southern Oregon University 18-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Portland State University Test optional
  • Southern Oregon University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Portland State University
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Portland State University $11,679
  • Southern Oregon University $12,762
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Portland State University $31,074
  • Southern Oregon University $31,887
  • Room & board
  • Portland State University $13,728
  • Southern Oregon University $16,968
  • Average net price
  • Portland State University $10,195
  • Southern Oregon University $17,959
  • Average grant aid
  • Portland State University $10,629
  • Southern Oregon University $8,788
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Portland State University 89%
  • Southern Oregon University 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Portland State University 38%
  • Southern Oregon University 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Portland State University $48,600
  • Southern Oregon University $41,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Portland State University 55%
  • Southern Oregon University 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Portland State University $22,634
  • Southern Oregon University $23,491
  • Median loan payment
  • Portland State University $234
  • Southern Oregon University $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Portland State University 17:1
  • Southern Oregon University 23:1
  • Popular majors
  • Portland State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Southern Oregon University
    • Business (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Portland State University Portland, OR
  • Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR
  • Setting
  • Portland State University Large City
  • Southern Oregon University Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Portland State University 19,951
  • Southern Oregon University 5,113
  • Type
  • Portland State University Public 4 Year
  • Southern Oregon University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Portland State University #702
  • Southern Oregon University #918

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than Southern Oregon University based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 5,113 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Portland 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: Portland State University 17:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 19.1% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($13,728 vs. $16,968).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Southern Oregon University than at Portland State University (about $813 more per year; $31,887 vs. $31,074).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Oregon University than at Portland State University (91% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($10,629 vs. $8,788).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Southern Oregon University than at Portland State University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Portland State University, test-free at Southern Oregon University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Portland State University average a 3.36 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $857 lower median loan debt than Southern Oregon University graduates ($22,634 vs. $23,491).
  • Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Oregon University graduates ($234 vs. $242).
  • More Portland State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation (55% vs. 52%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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