Skip to content

Southern Oregon University vs Willamette University

Southern Oregon University is a public university in Ashland, OR. Willamette University is a private university in Salem, OR. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants and Southern Oregon University about 89%, making Willamette University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,732 a year at Southern Oregon University after aid, and about $25,121 at Willamette University. About 72% of students graduate at Willamette University, compared with 43% at Southern Oregon University. Ten years after enrolling, Willamette University alumni earn a median of about $56,911, against $49,175 for Southern Oregon University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, OR · Public

Willamette University

Salem, OR · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Ashland, OR
Salem, OR
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
2,751
1,592
Acceptance rate
89%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
3.49–3.99
SAT (middle 50%)
980–1230
1240–1440
ACT (middle 50%)
18–25
28–33
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,732
$25,121
Full cost / yr
$27,636
$67,501
In-state tuition
$12,762
$51,156
Out-of-state tuition
$31,887
$51,156
Application fee
$60
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,830
$16,182
$30k - $48k
$12,466
$16,825
$48k - $75k
$15,813
$18,225
$75k - $110k
$22,415
$22,382
Over $110k
$24,181
$33,794
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
72%
Freshman retention
68%
87%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$39,326
$38,932
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,175
$56,911
Median debt at graduation
$20,332
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
24%
First-generation students
40%
19%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 1
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Southern Oregon University or Willamette University harder to get into?
Willamette University is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 89% at Southern Oregon University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Southern Oregon University or Willamette University?
Southern Oregon University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,732 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,121 at Willamette University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Southern Oregon University and Willamette University?
Before aid, Southern Oregon University costs about $27,636 a year and Willamette University about $67,501. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Southern Oregon University or Willamette University?
Southern Oregon University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,830 there, against about $16,182 at Willamette University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Southern Oregon University or Willamette University?
Southern Oregon University is the larger of the two, with about 2,751 undergraduates against 1,592 at Willamette University.
Does Southern Oregon University or Willamette University have a better graduation rate?
Willamette University has the higher graduation rate, at about 72% against 43% at Southern Oregon University.
Do graduates of Southern Oregon University or Willamette University earn more?
Willamette University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $56,911 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,175 for Southern Oregon University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Southern Oregon University and Willamette University require SAT or ACT scores?
Southern Oregon University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Willamette University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Southern Oregon University and Willamette University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 980–1230 at Southern Oregon University and 1240–1440 at Willamette University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school