Arkansas State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1.

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,410 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 31.5% lower than at Arkansas State University ($7,911 vs. $11,550).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $1,870 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Arkansas State University (about $1,168 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Arkansas State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 16% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($13,395 vs. $11,552).

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 90 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas State University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $2,480 lower median loan debt than Arkansas State University graduates ($17,020 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas State University graduates ($175 vs. $201).
• More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.