Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Belhaven University

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Belhaven University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Belhaven University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

A&M Commerce ATU UNT University of Central Arkansas MSU Arkansas State University Henderson State University Lamar University UALR Memphis
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Belhaven University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
Location Magnolia, AR Jackson, MS
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 5,094 3,627
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #760
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu belhaven.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $27,980
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $27,980
Room & Board $7,809 $9,100
Avg Net Price $14,056 $19,794
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $17,067
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 56%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 2,589
Admitted 1,855 1,103
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 42.6%
Enrolled % 38.1% 23.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/24
SAT Range 905/1190 980/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
Graduation Rate 34% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $40,900
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $28,402
Median Loan Payment $175 $293

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
% Men 45% 32%
% Women 55% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 35%
% Black 28% 48%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Belhaven University
% In-State 70% 50%
% Out-of-State 29% 48%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than than Belhaven University based on total student enrollment (5,094 students vs. 3,627 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Belhaven University Cost Comparison

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

  • Belhaven University is 298.6% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($27,980.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 124.7% higher at Belhaven University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($27,980.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Belhaven University ($14,056 vs. $19,794)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 16.5% lower than costs at Belhaven University ($7,809 vs. $9,100)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Belhaven University (99% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Belhaven University students is 83.2% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($17,067 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Belhaven University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Belhaven University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (63.6%) than Belhaven University (42.6%)

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

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Belhaven University? 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 Belhaven University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Belhaven University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (48% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Belhaven University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,900 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $11,382 lower median federal student loan debt than Belhaven University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $28,402)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $118 less per month on federal student loans than Belhaven University graduates. ($175 vs. $293)
  • More Belhaven University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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