We’re excited to welcome you back to campus!
You juggle many roles – employee, manager, parent, caregiver, community volunteer, family provider. SOU can help you obtain that education that you have always wanted, too. You don’t have to quit your job to finish your degree, earn a credential, or polish up your resume by learning new skills. At SOU, 44% of our admitted students are age 25 or over. Here, you’ll recognize others balancing multiple roles and bringing a real-life experience to the classroom.
Selected as a top 10 finalist in Outside magazine’s search for the “Best Town in America”, the vibrant and welcoming City of Ashland dazzles as a culturally rich mecca for tourism, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and breathtaking outdoor experiences. Our beautiful location provides ready access to an array of resplendent natural wonders, including Mt. Ashland, the Rogue River, and Crater Lake National Park. Ashland is a small city with big connections — and that’s why our graduates are so successful.
SOU provides career-focused, comprehensive educational experiences to over 6,200 students. Along with an emphasis on student success and intellectual growth, SOU is committed to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Theoretical and experiential learning programs provide quality, innovative experiences for students. At SOU, students build strong community connections through internships, mentorships, field studies, capstone projects, volunteer opportunities and civic engagement.
Southern Oregon University is a proud member of the Rogue Valley Community and the City of Ashland, Oregon. Our treasured partnerships with neighbors, local businesses, and organizations help our beautiful campus thrive. We are proud to offer a host of programs and events open to the public, fostering community engagement and encouraging cultural diversity in the Southern Oregon region. Visit our “Friends of SOU” page and check out our list of affiliated partners and programs.
I chose Southern Oregon University because I had a great experience during their Preview Weekend. It was then that I fell in love with the university and I knew that I was home.
When looking for colleges to attend, I found it difficult to find a school that could give me both the outdoor education I wanted along with the requirements for my major area of study. When I found SOU, it was like everything fell into place.
One of the main deciding factors in choosing to enroll at SOU would be the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). This scholarship gives Westerly state residents like Hawai’i an opportunity to venture out to other western state schools with cheaper tuition rates.
I am an outdoorsy person. I like walking around Lithia Park, hiking the local trails, shredding the slopes on Mt. Ashland, and exploring new places. I also enjoy strolling through downtown Ashland and going into the wide range of shops.
2019 American Association of State Colleges and Universities Award Winner
American Association of State Colleges has selected SOU to be part of the Re-Imagining the First Year of College project
