Southern Oregon University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Southern Oregon University charges a net price of $16,732/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $66,928. Graduates earn a median $49,175 ten years after entry, $815/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 82.1 years — a 20-year net return of -$50,628, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Southern Oregon University's 82.1-year payback ranks #1,221 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 5% of them, and #17 of 38 in Oregon.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $16,732/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $66,928 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,175 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $815/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,332 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 82.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$50,628 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Southern Oregon University's own numbers. Net price $16,732 × 4 years = $66,928 total. Median earnings $49,175 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $815 a year of premium. $66,928 ÷ $815 = 82.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$50,628. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Southern Oregon University students graduate with?
A median $20,332 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $49,175 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Southern Oregon University students graduate?
43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $66,928 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $155,647 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Southern Oregon University expensive compared with other Oregon colleges?
Its $16,732 net price runs $208 below the $16,940 median across the 38 Oregon colleges we profile, and $832 less across the full degree.