Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Bethel

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Bethel 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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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Bethel University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
Location Magnolia, AR McKenzie, TN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 5,094 4,686
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #1002
Religious Affiliation - Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $16,222
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $16,222
Room & Board $7,809 $13,446
Avg Net Price $14,056 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $13,396
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 2,489
Admitted 1,855 2,210
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 88.8%
Enrolled % 38.1% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 16/22
SAT Range 905/1190 928/1130
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 Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
Graduation Rate 34% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $175 $292

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
% Men 45% 46%
% Women 55% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 46%
% Black 28% 40%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 5%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
% In-State 70% 80%
% Out-of-State 29% 19%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Bethel
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Bethel based on total student enrollment (5,094 students vs. 4,686 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

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

  • Bethel University is 131.1% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($16,222.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.3% higher at Bethel than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($16,222.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,858 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 72.2% lower than costs at Bethel University ($7,809 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Bethel University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 43.8% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,396 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is 60 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Bethel University (34% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $11,230 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($17,020 vs. $28,250)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $117 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($175 vs. $292)
  • More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 33%)

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