History at Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University's History program graduates earn just $28,067 in their first year—below the national median but actually above average for Oregon, where history majors typically start around $26,800. That 60th percentile state ranking matters because most students at this accessible public university will be competing for jobs primarily in the Oregon market. The $21,500 in median debt is notably lower than both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 that's manageable compared to many liberal arts programs.

The catch? These numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so they could shift considerably with a larger sample. Still, the pattern makes sense: SOU charges less than flagship universities, leading to lower debt, while its regional reputation likely limits access to the highest-paying entry positions (Oregon State history grads average $34,600). For students planning to stay in southern Oregon or pursue graduate school—where undergraduate debt load matters more than first-year salary—this represents a reasonable value.

For families expecting their graduate to immediately land $35,000+ jobs in Portland or Seattle, the regional nature of SOU's network and outcomes could feel limiting. But as an affordable path to a humanities degree without crushing debt, particularly for students already in the Ashland area, it's performing adequately within Oregon's history program landscape.