Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Jackson State University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
Location Magnolia, AR Jackson, MS
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 5,094 6,906
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #961
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $8,270
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $8,270
Room & Board $7,809 $10,445
Avg Net Price $14,056 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $8,694
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 86%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 12,583
Admitted 1,855 11,153
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 88.6%
Enrolled % 38.1% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 16/21
SAT Range 905/1190 1073/1210
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 34% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $299

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
% Men 45% 33%
% Women 55% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 63% 4%
% Black 28% 92%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Jackson State University
% In-State 70% 27%
% Out-of-State 29% 72%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Jackson State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,906 students vs. 5,094 students)

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

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

  • Jackson State University is 17.8% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,270.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.5% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Jackson State University ($12,450.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Jackson State University ($14,056 vs. $15,292)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 33.8% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($7,809 vs. $10,445)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Jackson State University (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 7.2% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($9,316 vs. $8,694)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is 78 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

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

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Jackson State 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 Jackson State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn on average $5,100 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $32,800)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $11,980 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $29,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $124 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($175 vs. $299)
  • More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 36%)

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