Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SIUE

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
Location Magnolia, AR Edwardsville, IL
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,127 12,045
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #554
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu siue.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $9,576
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $9,576
Room & Board $7,601 $10,562
Avg Net Price $14,164 $15,182
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $9,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 90%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 8,937
Admitted 1,955 8,688
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 97.2%
Enrolled % 40.8% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/26
SAT Range 920/1180 900/1160
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
Graduation Rate 34% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $21,430
Median Loan Payment $175 $221

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
% Men 17% 10%
% Women 21% 15%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 73%
% Black 28% 15%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
% In-State 69% 98%
% Out-of-State 31% 2%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SIUE
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

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (12,045 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 33% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,576.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.5% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,780.00 vs. $9,576.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than SIUE ($14,164 vs. $15,182)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 39% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($7,601 vs. $10,562)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (99% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 1.1% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($9,934 vs. $9,826)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SIUE Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 82 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SIUE is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (52% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn on average $9,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,410 lower median federal student loan debt than SIUE graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,430)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than SIUE graduates. ($175 vs. $221)
  • More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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