Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($13,442 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 39.8% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($7,911 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $1,168 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at SFASU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $7,736 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Stephen F Austin State University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 8% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($11,552 vs. $10,694).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SFASU? 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 SFASU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 80 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) 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. 17.1% at SFASU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $7,980 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($17,020 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.