Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. RIC

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
Location Magnolia, AR Providence, RI
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,127 5,767
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $25,014
Room & Board $7,601 $13,719
Avg Net Price $14,164 $11,549
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $6,998
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 4,988
Admitted 1,955 4,045
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 81.1%
Enrolled % 40.8% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 920/1180 860/1160
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026 Mar 15, 2026

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
Graduation Rate 34% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $175 $219

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
% Men 17% 3%
% Women 21% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 62%
% Black 28% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 16%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 8%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus RIC
% In-State 69% 82%
% Out-of-State 31% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Rhode Island College is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,767 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or RIC?

  • Rhode Island College is 31.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 95.7% higher at RIC than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($25,014.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,549 vs. $14,164)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 80.5% lower than costs at Rhode Island College ($7,601 vs. $13,719)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Rhode Island College (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 40.4% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($9,826 vs. $6,998)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is 75 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • RIC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or RIC? 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 RIC and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at RIC is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn on average $4,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,180 lower median federal student loan debt than RIC graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,200)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than RIC graduates. ($175 vs. $219)
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 44%)

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