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A&M Commerce ATU UNT UT Martin University of Central Arkansas MSU Union University Arkansas State University Henderson State University Lamar University UALR Memphis| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Bethel University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 | ||
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| 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 | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 | ||
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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/