Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Ashland

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Demi-Ashland,OR-Plaza-EW-20050305Photo: Demi~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Ashland

Ashland is home to Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University (4,575 students on campus) is inside the city. About 12% of Ashland’s residents are enrolled in college, above Oregon (6%).

Southern Oregon University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Ashland. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
4,575 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Southern Oregon University
Residents in college
12%
Above OR (6%)
Nearest community college
38.6 mi
Rogue · $5,256 tuition
Nearest public university
0.5 mi
Southern Oregon University · $12,762 in-state
Median household income
$68K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Ashland

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in AshlandSouthern Oregon University has 4,575 students on campus in Ashland, 43% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Southern Oregon UniversityLiving in Oregon, Southern Oregon University charges $12,762 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $31,887. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 38.6 miles awayRogue Community College in Grants Pass: tuition and fees $5,256 a year for Oregon residents.Students are 12% of residentsAbove Oregon (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Ashland

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Ashland.

5 mi10 mi15 miSouthern Oregon UniversityAshland
University or collegeCommunity college
Southern Oregon UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 4,575 on campus · In Ashland89%admitted$17knet price43%graduate$49kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Ashland’s median household income ($68,028) falls.

Southern Oregon UniversityIn Ashland · sticker $27,636$15,813a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Ashland: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University43% graduate$49k earnings$20k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Ashland

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Southern Oregon University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Psychology 14%Business 13%Communication 11%Visual & performing arts 11%Parks & recreation 8%Education 8%Everything else 34%

Biggest programs

Psychology, General76 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations70 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft42 graduates a year
$38k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections41 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness32 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Biology, General29 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and Research25 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies25 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Ashland

Is Ashland a college town?

No. About 12 of every 100 Ashland residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Oregon (6). The largest campus in the city, Southern Oregon University, has 4,575 students on campus.

What colleges are in Ashland?

Southern Oregon University is inside the city. Rogue Community College is 38.6 miles away in Grants Pass.

What is the closest community college to Ashland, and what does it cost?

Rogue Community College in Grants Pass, 38.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,256 a year for Oregon residents; the federal net price, $11,042, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Southern Oregon University cost if we live in Oregon?

Tuition and fees are $12,762 a year in-state and $31,887 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,830 (under $30,000 income) to $24,181 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ashland. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →