Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. EIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Eastern Illinois University 14:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or EIU? 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 EIU ($13,442 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.6% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($7,911 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $3,719 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at EIU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $527 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Eastern Illinois University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,960 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. EIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or EIU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between EIU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; EIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at EIU (3.39).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 9.8% at EIU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and EIU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $6,630 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($17,020 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($175 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.