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Middle Tennessee State University WCU Tennessee Austin Peay State University ECU KSU Tennessee Tech Milligan College Memphis A&M Commerce ATU Carson-Newman College| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | East Tennessee State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Johnson City, TN | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 5,094 | 13,483 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #868 | #652 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | etsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,020 | $7,722 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,450 | $11,532 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,809 | $9,613 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,056 | $14,350 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,316 | $8,739 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,916 | 9,609 | ||
| Admitted | 1,855 | 8,193 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.6% | 85.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 38.1% | 25.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.33 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 905/1190 | 980/1190 | ||
| 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 | ETSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 44% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $40,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 50% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $20,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $211 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 70% | 75% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 23% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | ETSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- East Tennessee State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 5,094 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ETSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or ETSU?
- East Tennessee State University is 10% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($7,722.00 vs. $7,020.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than East Tennessee State University ($12,450.00 vs. $11,532.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than ETSU ($14,056 vs. $14,350)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 23.1% lower than costs at East Tennessee State University ($7,809 vs. $9,613)
- More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 6.6% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($9,316 vs. $8,739)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or ETSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ETSU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 80 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
- Incoming ETSU 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 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ETSU (3.33)
- ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (44% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,480 lower median federal student loan debt than ETSU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $20,500)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than ETSU graduates. ($175 vs. $211)
- More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/