Southern Oregon University (SOU) vs Pacific University
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Pacific University (PU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. SOU, a public university located in Ashland, Oregon, boasts an acceptance rate of 88%, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. PU, a private university in Forest Grove, Oregon, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 75%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at SOU including Psychology, Business Administration, and Biology, while PU's popular majors include Business Administration, Biology, and Communication. While SOU's student body is predominantly composed of Oregon residents, PU attracts a more diverse student population, with a significant proportion of out-of-state and international students. In terms of graduation rates, SOU's four-year graduation rate stands at 38%, while PU's is slightly higher at 45%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education
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![]() Pacific University |
![]() Southern Oregon University |
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Overview |
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Location | Forest Grove, Oregon | Ashland, Oregon |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.0% | 89.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$39
|
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1090 - 1310 | 980 - 1230 |
ACT range | 19 - 27 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | 21.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,266 | 1,913 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,063 | 1,716 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 363 | 519 |
Yield rate | 17.6% | 30.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,348 |
In state:
$25,142
Out of state:
$42,962
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Average net price | $33,523 | $12,134 |
Tuition | $48,928 |
In state:
$9,045
Out of state:
$26,865
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,664
Meal plan:
$6,228
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Room/dormitory:
$8,235
Meal plan:
$5,925
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $31,162 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,932 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
90.0%
Average amount $5,415 |
42.0%
Average amount $4,778 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $20,429 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,741
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
4,396
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Graduate students |
2,010
Men 26.2% Women 73.8% |
783
Men 30.3% Women 69.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 61.2% | N/A |
International students | 3.8% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,029 | 1,000 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Oregon Hawaii California Washington Colorado | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.8% | 41.0% |
Dropout rate | 29.0% | 55.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Optometry (Doctoral Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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