Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Western Oregon University vs Southern Oregon University: which has better ROI?

Public, Monmouth OR · vs · Public, Ashland OR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Western Oregon University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,948 in 20 years versus 82.1 years at Southern Oregon University, on median earnings of $51,815 vs $49,175 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWestern Oregon UniversitySouthern Oregon University
Net price / yr$17,237$16,732
Total net cost$68,948$66,928
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,815$49,175
Median debt$20,609$20,332
Payback20 yrs82.1 yrs
20-year net return$152-$50,628

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University?

Southern Oregon University, at $16,732 a year after aid versus $17,237 — a gap of $505 a year, or $2,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University graduates earn more?

Western Oregon University graduates report a median $51,815 ten years after entry, $2,640 more than the $49,175 at Southern Oregon University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University?

Southern Oregon University: its completers carry a median $20,332 in federal loans versus $20,609 at Western Oregon University, a difference of $277. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

47% of students finish at Western Oregon University, against 43% at Southern Oregon University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Western Oregon University vs Southern Oregon University: frequently asked questions

Is Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University a better value?
Western Oregon University. It clears its $68,948 net cost in about 20 years versus 82.1 years at Southern Oregon University, on median earnings of $51,815 vs $49,175 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University?
Southern Oregon University: $16,732/yr net price after aid versus $17,237/yr at Western Oregon University — a difference of $505 a year, or about $2,020 over four years.
Do Western Oregon University or Southern Oregon University graduates earn more?
Western Oregon University graduates earn a median $51,815 ten years after entry, versus $49,175 at Southern Oregon University — a $2,640 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.