Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fayetteville State University

Comparable Facts

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

Fayetteville State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (7,107 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); Fayetteville State University is in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Fayetteville State University 20:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fayetteville State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Fayetteville State University? 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 Fayetteville State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($7,811 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 30.9% lower than at Fayetteville State University ($7,911 vs. $11,449).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 128.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $5,607 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $4,353.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Fayetteville State University (about $7,337 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $8,353.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Fayetteville State University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 31.6% larger than aid received by Fayetteville State University students ($11,552 vs. $8,777).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fayetteville State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at Fayetteville State University (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Fayetteville State University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Fayetteville State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Fayetteville State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
• Fayetteville State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) 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. 14.8% at Fayetteville State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Fayetteville State University? 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 Fayetteville State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $5,141 lower median loan debt than Fayetteville State University graduates ($17,020 vs. $22,161).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fayetteville State University graduates ($175 vs. $229).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 28%)

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.