Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,751 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); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,410 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 Northeastern State University ($7,911 vs. $11,120).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,150 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at NSU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $1,600 more per year; $17,290.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Northeastern State University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($11,552 vs. $8,893).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern State University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) 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. 39% at NSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and NSU? 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 Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $980 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($175 vs. $186).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.