Southern Oregon University (SOU) vs South Dakota University
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and University of South Dakota (USD) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. SOU, located in Ashland, Oregon, is a public liberal arts university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to sustainability. USD, situated in Vermillion, South Dakota, is a public research university with a rich history and a focus on undergraduate education. While both universities share similarities, there are several key differences between them, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern Oregon University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Ashland, Oregon | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 69.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.7% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 980 - 1230 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 18 - 25 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,913 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,716 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 519 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 30.2% | 33.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,142
Out of state:
$42,962
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $12,134 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,045
Out of state:
$26,865
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,235
Meal plan:
$5,925
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Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
75.0%
Average amount $5,932 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,778 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,396
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
783
Men 30.3% Women 69.7% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 39.4% |
International students | 1.1% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,000 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 41.0% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 55.3% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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