Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Midwestern State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,324 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); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,215 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 28.9% lower than at Midwestern State University ($7,911 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $620 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Midwestern State University (about $3,160 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Midwestern State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($11,552 vs. $11,037).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) 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. 12.9% at MSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is the same as at Midwestern State University (34% vs. 34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $5,279 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($175 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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.