Classes are small, with easy interaction between students and faculty. SOU is one of three U.S. colleges selected to participate in space research with NASA - the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. SOU offers degrees at the baccalaureate and master's level. Ninety-two percent of the 6,000 students are undergraduates, distributed across 35 programs. Eight percent are pursuing graduate work.
All classrooms are accessible to handicapped students.
ALA students who successfully complete ALA Level 6 are also admitted full-time. Upper-level ALA students may observe SOU classes, with the Director of Curriculum's permission, at no charge. It is surrounded by forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Ashland benefits from a mild, four-season climate with sunny summers. Ashland is a town for walking or bicycling, with downtown just 15 minutes' walk from campus.