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UCO-Central ULM A&M Commerce ATU OSU-Oklahoma City RSU UNT University of Central Arkansas MSU ECU Purdue North Central OU| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Northeastern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Tahlequah, OK | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,127 | 6,466 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #885 | #929 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | nsuok.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,200 | $6,623 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,780 | $15,743 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,601 | $10,494 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,164 | $11,153 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,826 | $7,886 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 83% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,936 | 1,386 | ||
| Admitted | 1,955 | 1,375 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 66.6% | 99.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 40.8% | 48.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.49 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 18/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 920/1180 | 920/1145 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 27, 2026 |
Academics |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 26% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $40,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 48% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $18,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $186 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 17% | 6% | ||
| % Women | 21% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 50% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 19% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 17% | ||
| % International | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 69% | 93% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 31% | 5% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| 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
- Northeastern State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,466 students vs. 5,127 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU?
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 8.7% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,200.00 vs. $6,623.00)
- Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at NSU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($15,743.00 vs. $12,780.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,153 vs. $14,164)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 38.1% lower than costs at Northeastern State University ($7,601 vs. $10,494)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Northeastern State University (99% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 24.6% larger than aid received Northeastern State University ($9,826 vs. $7,886)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is the same at NSU (988)
- Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at NSU (21)
- 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 (99.2%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NSU? 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 NSU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Northeastern State University (34% vs. 26%)
- Graduates from Northeastern State University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $980 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $18,000)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans 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/