Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Messenger College? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Messenger College ($13,442 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 40.5% lower than at Messenger College ($7,911 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $1,660 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Messenger College (about $4,070 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Messenger College (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 193.2% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($11,552 vs. $3,940).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Messenger College? 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 Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 40%)

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.