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LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech LSUS A&M Commerce ATU UNT ULM UL Lafayette University of Central Arkansas Rutgers University-Newark LSUA MSU Arkansas State University| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Natchitoches, LA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,094 | 9,389 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #868 | #975 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | nsula.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,020 | $5,180 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,450 | $15,968 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,809 | $10,269 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,056 | $14,238 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,316 | $9,499 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 89% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
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| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,916 | 2,903 | ||
| Admitted | 1,855 | 2,843 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.6% | 97.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 38.1% | 35.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.3 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 905/1190 | 955/1135 | ||
| 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 | NSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $38,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 46% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $21,531 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $222 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 29% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 71% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 54% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 31% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
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| % In-State | 70% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 2% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | NSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 5,094 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 35.5% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $5,180.00)
- Out of state tuition is 28.3% higher at NSU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($15,968.00 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 NSU ($14,056 vs. $14,238)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 31.5% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($7,809 vs. $10,269)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 89%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 2% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($9,499 vs. $9,316)
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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 20 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
- Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
- Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NSU (3.3)
- NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)
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 NSU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (37% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Northwestern State University of Louisiana earn on average $200 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($38,100 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,511 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,531)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($175 vs. $222)
- More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/