Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Saginaw Valley State University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
Location Magnolia, AR University Center, MI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,094 7,147
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #905
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu svsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $11,565
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $27,164
Room & Board $7,809 $11,400
Avg Net Price $14,056 $12,432
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $10,663
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 9,330
Admitted 1,855 7,125
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 76.4%
Enrolled % 38.1% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 20/25
SAT Range 905/1190 970/1180
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 Saginaw Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
Graduation Rate 34% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $279

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 71%
% Black 28% 9%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
% In-State 70% 98%
% Out-of-State 29% 2%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Saginaw Valley State University
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

  • Saginaw Valley State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (7,147 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Saginaw Valley State University?

  • Saginaw Valley State University is 64.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($11,565.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 118.2% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($27,164.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,432 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 46% lower than costs at Saginaw Valley State University ($7,809 vs. $11,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 14.5% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,663 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Saginaw Valley State University (1030) is 42 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Saginaw Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Saginaw Valley State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($41,000 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $9,980 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $27,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $104 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($175 vs. $279)
  • More Saginaw Valley State University 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/