Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (15,408 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); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NMSU? 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,719 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.6% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($7,911 vs. $12,282).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $1,777 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.3% higher at NMSU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $9,617 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($14,420 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at NMSU (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NMSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; NMSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) 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. 20.6% at NMSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $98 lower median loan debt than NMSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU graduates ($175 vs. $176).
• More NMSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.