ATU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

ATU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or SFASU? 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 Tech University than SFASU ($12,626 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 21.3% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,338 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $2,454 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.7% higher at SFASU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $8,758 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Stephen F Austin State University (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 8% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($10,694 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or SFASU? 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 SFASU and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 80 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

ATU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.