Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Nelson University in Waxahachie, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Nelson University 15:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Nelson University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Nelson University ($13,442 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 17.6% lower than at Nelson University ($7,911 vs. $9,598).
• Nelson University is 151.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $15,104 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.7% higher at Nelson University than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $9,374 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Nelson University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,075 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Nelson University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nelson University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at Nelson University (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Nelson University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Nelson University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Nelson University (3.19).
• Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Nelson University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Nelson University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $9,230 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($17,020 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($175 vs. $271).
• More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.