Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Location Magnolia, AR Richmond, KY
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 5,094 14,324
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #854
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu eku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $9,544
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $19,922
Room & Board $7,809 $10,360
Avg Net Price $14,056 $10,806
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $10,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 15,821
Admitted 1,855 10,174
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 64.3%
Enrolled % 38.1% 26.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/24 17/24
SAT Range 905/1190 940/1185
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Graduation Rate 34% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $23,695
Median Loan Payment $175 $245

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
% Men 45% 39%
% Women 55% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 85%
% Black 28% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
% In-State 70% 91%
% Out-of-State 29% 9%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (14,324 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

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

  • Eastern Kentucky University is 36% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,544.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60% higher at Eastern than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($19,922.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,806 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 32.7% lower than costs at Eastern Kentucky University ($7,809 vs. $10,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Eastern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 13.6% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,583 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Kentucky University (1028) is 40 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Eastern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Eastern (3.39)
  • Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (64.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Eastern is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (38% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Eastern have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($37,900 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $6,675 lower median federal student loan debt than Eastern graduates. ($17,020 vs. $23,695)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than Eastern graduates. ($175 vs. $245)
  • More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 44%)

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