Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
Location Magnolia, AR Springfield, MO
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 5,094 22,535
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #775
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu missouristate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $7,476
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $16,016
Room & Board $7,809 $9,782
Avg Net Price $14,056 $17,677
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $8,049
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 9,625
Admitted 1,855 8,909
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 92.6%
Enrolled % 38.1% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 20/26
SAT Range 905/1190 973/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
Graduation Rate 34% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $42,100
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $232

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 81%
% Black 28% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri State University-Springfield
% In-State 70% 78%
% Out-of-State 29% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Missouri State University Springfield is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (22,535 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri State University-Springfield?

  • Missouri State University Springfield is 6.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($7,476.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.6% higher at Missouri State University-Springfield than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($16,016.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Missouri State University-Springfield ($14,056 vs. $17,677)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 25.3% lower than costs at Missouri State University Springfield ($7,809 vs. $9,782)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Missouri State University Springfield than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 15.7% larger than aid received Missouri State University Springfield ($9,316 vs. $8,049)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Missouri State University Springfield (1090) is 102 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Missouri State University-Springfield is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (55% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Missouri State University Springfield earn on average $4,200 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($42,100 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,480 lower median federal student loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates. ($175 vs. $232)
  • More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 44%)

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