Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,328 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 32.1% lower than at Fairmont State University ($7,911 vs. $11,656).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $1,252 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Fairmont State than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $3,234 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Fairmont State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 35.1% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($11,552 vs. $8,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Fairmont State (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Fairmont State ? 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).

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $300 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,980 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($17,020 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($175 vs. $227).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 43%)

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.