Jacksonville State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Should I go to Jacksonville State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jacksonville State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Jacksonville State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus comparison
Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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Overview

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Location Jacksonville, AL Magnolia, AR
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 9,632 5,094
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #868
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu saumag.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $7,020
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $12,450
Room & Board $8,640 $7,809
Avg Net Price $11,953 $14,056
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $9,316
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 2,916
Admitted 9,863 1,855
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 63.6%
Enrolled % 19.7% 38.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 17/24
SAT Range 940/1200 905/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Graduation Rate 32% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $17,020
Median Loan Payment $240 $175

Diversity

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% Men 40% 45%
% Women 60% 55%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 63%
% Black 22% 28%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% In-State 72% 70%
% Out-of-State 25% 29%

Campus

Jacksonville State University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Jacksonville State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,632 students vs. 5,094 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

  • Jacksonville State University is 42.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,990.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.2% higher at Jacksonville State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($19,950.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,953 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 10.6% lower than costs at Jacksonville State University ($7,809 vs. $8,640)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 8.7% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,123 vs. $9,316)

Jacksonville State University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jacksonville State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Jacksonville State University .

  • The average SAT score at Jacksonville State University (1062) is 74 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Jacksonville State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43)
  • Jacksonville State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

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

Which is better, Jacksonville State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Jacksonville State University (34% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn on average $900 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $37,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $6,230 lower median federal student loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $23,250)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($175 vs. $240)
  • More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/