Southern Oregon University vs. Willamette University

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

Southern Oregon University
Willamette University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Willamette University (77.1% admitted vs 88.6%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1110.
  • Cheaper after aid: Southern Oregon University. Average net price is $17,959 vs $29,421 at Willamette University.
  • Graduation: Southern Oregon University 33% vs Willamette University 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Southern Oregon University $41,200 vs Willamette University $54,300 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Oregon University Willamette University
Acceptance rate
Willamette University more selective
Southern Oregon University88.6%
Willamette University77.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Willamette University higher
Southern Oregon University980-1230
Willamette University1240-1440
Average net price
Southern Oregon University $11,462 less
Southern Oregon University$17,959
Willamette University$29,421
In-state tuition
Southern Oregon University $38,394 less
Southern Oregon University$12,762
Willamette University$51,156
Out-of-state tuition
Southern Oregon University $19,269 less
Southern Oregon University$31,887
Willamette University$51,156
Graduation rate
Willamette University +44 pts
Southern Oregon University33%
Willamette University77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Willamette University +$13,100
Southern Oregon University$41,200
Willamette University$54,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Southern Oregon University 2,320
  • Willamette University 3,832
  • Admitted
  • Southern Oregon University 2,056
  • Willamette University 2,954
  • Acceptance rate
  • Southern Oregon University 88.6%
  • Willamette University 77.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Southern Oregon University 29.3%
  • Willamette University 14.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southern Oregon University 1110
  • Willamette University 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southern Oregon University 21
  • Willamette University 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Southern Oregon University 3.34
  • Willamette University 3.97
  • Typical high school grades
  • Southern Oregon University B+
  • Willamette University A
  • Admissions standards
  • Southern Oregon University Moderate
  • Willamette University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Willamette University
  • SAT range
  • Southern Oregon University 980-1230
  • Willamette University 1240-1440
  • ACT range
  • Southern Oregon University 18-25
  • Willamette University 28-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Southern Oregon University Test-free
  • Willamette University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Willamette University Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Southern Oregon University $12,762
  • Willamette University $51,156
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Southern Oregon University $31,887
  • Willamette University $51,156
  • Room & board
  • Southern Oregon University $16,968
  • Willamette University $16,150
  • Average net price
  • Southern Oregon University $17,959
  • Willamette University $29,421
  • Average grant aid
  • Southern Oregon University $8,788
  • Willamette University $38,080
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Southern Oregon University 91%
  • Willamette University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Southern Oregon University 33%
  • Willamette University 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Southern Oregon University $41,200
  • Willamette University $54,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Southern Oregon University 52%
  • Willamette University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Southern Oregon University $23,491
  • Willamette University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Southern Oregon University $242
  • Willamette University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Southern Oregon University 23:1
  • Willamette University 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Southern Oregon University
    • Business (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Willamette University
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR
  • Willamette University Salem, OR
  • Setting
  • Southern Oregon University Midsize Suburban
  • Willamette University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Southern Oregon University 5,113
  • Willamette University 2,180
  • Type
  • Southern Oregon University Public 4 Year
  • Willamette University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Southern Oregon University #918
  • Willamette University #268

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Oregon University is larger than Willamette University based on total student enrollment (5,113 students vs. 2,180 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Willamette University are 4.8% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($16,150 vs. $16,968).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at Willamette University than at Southern Oregon University (about $19,269 more per year; $51,156 vs. $31,887).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Willamette University than at Southern Oregon University (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Willamette University students is 333.3% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($38,080 vs. $8,788).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at Willamette University than at Southern Oregon University (30 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Southern Oregon University, test optional at Willamette University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Willamette University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Willamette University average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.63 higher than at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at Southern Oregon University vs. 14.3% at Willamette University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have a $2,509 lower median loan debt than Willamette University graduates ($23,491 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Willamette University graduates ($242 vs. $268).
  • More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation (80% 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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