Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Michigan University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
Location Magnolia, AR Ypsilanti, MI
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,094 14,018
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #828
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu emich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $14,500
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $14,500
Room & Board $7,809 $11,396
Avg Net Price $14,056 $15,826
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $9,945
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 19,919
Admitted 1,855 16,578
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 83.2%
Enrolled % 38.1% 13.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/25
SAT Range 905/1190 930/1180
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 Eastern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 34% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $263

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
% Men 45% 38%
% Women 55% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 65%
% Black 28% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
% In-State 70% 78%
% Out-of-State 29% 11%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Eastern Michigan University
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

  • Eastern Michigan University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (14,018 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Michigan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Eastern Michigan University is 106.6% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($14,500.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.5% higher at Eastern Michigan University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($14,500.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Eastern Michigan University ($14,056 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 45.9% lower than costs at Eastern Michigan University ($7,809 vs. $11,396)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Eastern Michigan University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Michigan University students is 6.8% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($9,945 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Michigan University (1029) is 41 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Eastern Michigan University 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 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Eastern Michigan University (3.37)
  • Eastern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Eastern Michigan University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Michigan University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($41,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $8,480 lower median federal student loan debt than Eastern Michigan University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $25,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $88 less per month on federal student loans than Eastern Michigan University graduates. ($175 vs. $263)
  • More Eastern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 44%)

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