Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southeast Missouri State University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
Location Magnolia, AR Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,094 9,927
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #920
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $7,761
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $14,331
Room & Board $7,809 $9,954
Avg Net Price $14,056 $14,519
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $8,592
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 7,092
Admitted 1,855 6,121
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 86.3%
Enrolled % 38.1% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 17/24
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 34% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $175 $232

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 77%
% Black 28% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 70% 74%
% Out-of-State 29% 19%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southeast Missouri 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

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,927 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Southeast Missouri State University?

  • Southeast Missouri State University is 10.6% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($7,761.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.1% higher at Southeast Missouri State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($14,331.00 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 Southeast Missouri State University ($14,056 vs. $14,519)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 27.5% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($7,809 vs. $9,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southeast Missouri State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 8.4% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($9,316 vs. $8,592)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University (1050) is 62 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Southeast Missouri 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 Southeast Missouri State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (46% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,507 lower median federal student loan debt than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,527)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($175 vs. $232)
  • More Southeast Missouri 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/