Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 254 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Cottey College? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Cottey College ($13,442 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 29.6% lower than at Cottey College ($7,911 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 176.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $17,602 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at Cottey College than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $11,872 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 112.6% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($24,565 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Cottey College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cottey College and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 90 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Cottey College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Cottey College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate is 34%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Cottey College.
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $5,020 lower median loan debt than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($12,000 vs. $17,020).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($124 vs. $175).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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.