Southern Oregon University vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Oregon University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (5,113 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Oregon University 23:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Southern Oregon University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Oregon University or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Southern Oregon University ($12,236 vs. $17,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 45.9% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($9,182 vs. $16,968).
• Southern Oregon University is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $2,002 more per year; $12,762.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at Southern Oregon University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $10,669 more per year; $31,887.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Southern Oregon University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($8,904 vs. $8,788).

Southern Oregon University vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Oregon University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Southern Oregon University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Oregon University (1110) is 10 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Oregon University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Oregon University 980/1230; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Oregon University 18/25; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Oregon University - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Oregon University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at Southern Oregon University vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Southern Oregon University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Oregon University and USC Aiken? 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).

• University of South Carolina Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Southern Oregon University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Oregon University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have a $2,509 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($23,491 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.