# Southern Oregon University

> public liberal arts college in Ashland, Oregon, U.S.

**Wikidata**: [Q1888661](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1888661)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Oregon_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/southern-oregon-university

## Summary
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a public liberal arts college located in Ashland, Oregon, U.S., founded in 1872. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing academic rigor and accessibility, with a focus on fostering critical thinking and community engagement. As a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, SOU combines affordable public education with the intimate learning environment typical of smaller private institutions.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1872 as a public educational institution.
- Enrolls approximately 5,140 students (as of 2020).
- Admission rate of 90% (2020) with a yield rate of 27% (2020).
- Athletic teams compete as the Southern Oregon Raiders.
- Member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
- Classified by Carnegie as a "master's college/university" with "very high undergraduate" focus and "arts & sciences plus professions" programs.
- Located at 1250 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR 97520 (42.1857° N, 122.694° W).
- Operates on an academic quarter system.
- Official website: [sou.edu](http://www.sou.edu).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Southern Oregon University founded?
A: Southern Oregon University was founded in 1872, originally established as a normal school before evolving into a comprehensive public liberal arts college.

### Q: How many students attend SOU?
A: As of 2020, the university enrolls approximately 5,140 students.

### Q: What is the admission rate at SOU?
A: The admission rate for 2020 was 90%, with a yield rate of 27% (the percentage of accepted students who chose to enroll).

### Q: What athletic conference does SOU compete in?
A: The Southern Oregon Raiders athletic teams participate in the NAIA, competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.

## Why It Matters
Southern Oregon University plays a vital role in providing accessible, high-quality higher education in Southern Oregon and beyond. As a public liberal arts institution, it bridges the gap between affordability and academic excellence, offering students a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its commitment to small class sizes, faculty mentorship, and community partnerships fosters both intellectual growth and practical preparation for careers. SOU’s presence in Ashland—a city renowned for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival—also integrates cultural and artistic opportunities into the learning experience. By maintaining its status as a "master's college" with a focus on undergraduate education, SOU contributes to the regional workforce and intellectual vitality, making it a cornerstone of Southern Oregon’s educational and economic landscape.

## Notable For
- **Public Liberal Arts Focus**: Combines the affordability of a public university with the personalized education typical of private liberal arts colleges.
- **Carnegie Classifications**: Recognized for its master’s programs, arts/sciences-professions balance, and residential character.
- **Athletic Achievements**: The Raiders football team has won multiple NAIA national championships, including titles in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
- **Cultural Integration**: Located in Ashland, home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, providing unique opportunities for arts engagement.
- **Sustainability Efforts**: Emphasizes environmental stewardship through campus initiatives and academic programs.

## Body
### Academic Profile
- **Student Body**: 5,140 students (2020), with a focus on undergraduate education.
- **Admissions**: 90% acceptance rate (2020); 27% yield rate (2020).
- **Academic Calendar**: Operates on an academic quarter system.
- **Carnegie Classifications**: 
  - "Master's Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs"
  - "Very High Undergraduate"
  - "Arts & Sciences Plus Professions, Some Graduate Coexistence"
  - "Four-Year, Medium, Primarily Residential"

### History
- **Founding**: Established in 1872 as Southern Oregon Normal School.
- **Evolution**: Transitioned to Southern Oregon College (1969), then Southern Oregon State College (1983), before becoming Southern Oregon University in 1995.

### Campus & Location
- **Address**: 1250 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR 97520.
- **Coordinates**: 42.1857° N, 122.694° W.
- **Facilities**: Includes Churchill Hall and a campus library. Interactive and parking maps available online.
- **Region**: Situated in Ashland, known for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival and proximity to outdoor recreation areas.

### Athletics
- **Teams**: Southern Oregon Raiders (NAIA, Cascade Collegiate Conference).
- **Notable Achievements**: Football team won NAIA national championships in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

### Membership & Accreditations
- **Affiliations**: 
  - Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC)
  - American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
  - Orbis Cascade Alliance (library consortium)
- **Accreditation**: Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

### Data & Identifiers
- **Domain**: sou.edu
- **ID Systems**: 
  - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): 210146
  - ROR: 010kva064
  - VIAF: 142210772
  - GeoNames: 5753592
- **Social Media**: Active on Facebook (@SOUAshland) and Instagram (@souashland).

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](https://www.orbiscascade.org/about/members/)
4. [Source](https://aascu.org/our-members/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](http://www.sou.edu)
9. GRID Release 2015-12-14
10. GRID Release 2016-12-06
11. BabelNet
12. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
13. Quora
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
17. National Center for Education Statistics
18. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q232096)