Arkansas State University vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than Southwest Baptist University based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 2,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

Arkansas State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University ($12,410 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 15.4% lower than at Arkansas State University ($9,776 vs. $11,550).
• Southwest Baptist University is 277.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $22,476 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.5% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at Arkansas State University (about $16,044 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at Arkansas State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Baptist University students is 42.2% larger than aid received by Arkansas State University students ($19,043 vs. $13,395).

Arkansas State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 70 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Arkansas State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Southwest Baptist University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Southwest Baptist University (3.55).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

Arkansas State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and Southwest Baptist University? 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).

• Southwest Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Southwest Baptist University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $1,587 lower median loan debt than Southwest Baptist University graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,087).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Baptist University graduates ($201 vs. $218).
• More Southwest Baptist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.