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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Salem, MA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 5,127 | 6,239 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #885 | #783 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | salemstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,200 | $910 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,780 | $7,050 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,601 | $16,378 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,164 | $19,324 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,826 | $8,241 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 98% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,936 | 4,852 | ||
| Admitted | 1,955 | 4,637 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 66.6% | 95.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 40.8% | 17.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.17 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | |||
| SAT Range | 920/1180 | 990/1160 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 27, 2025 | Jun 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $44,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $24,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $248 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 17% | 5% | ||
| % Women | 21% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 9% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 12% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 69% | 90% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 31% | 8% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Salem State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Salem State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,239 students vs. 5,127 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Salem State University?
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 691.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,200.00 vs. $910.00)
- Out of state tuition is 81.3% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Salem State University ($12,780.00 vs. $7,050.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Salem State University ($14,164 vs. $19,324)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 115.5% lower than costs at Salem State University ($7,601 vs. $16,378)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Salem State University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 19.2% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,826 vs. $8,241)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Salem State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
- Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Salem 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 Salem State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (42% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $6,980 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $24,000)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($175 vs. $248)
- More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/