Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 2,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Mississippi Valley State University is in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Mississippi Valley State University 13:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Mississippi Valley 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 Mississippi Valley State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,232 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 11.7% lower than at Mississippi Valley State University ($7,911 vs. $8,956).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $2,268 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $7,998 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students ($11,552 vs. $10,933).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Mississippi Valley State University).
• 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; Mississippi Valley State University 13/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
• Mississippi Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) 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. 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Mississippi Valley 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 Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $12,316 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($17,020 vs. $29,336).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $128 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($175 vs. $303).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 35%)

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.