Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Stephen F Austin State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SFASU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

SHSU Tarleton Texas A&M Texas State UT Tyler UH UNT Texas Tech MSU UTSA Baylor UT Austin
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Stephen F Austin State University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Stephen F Austin State University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Stephen F Austin State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Location Magnolia, AR Nacogdoches, TX
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,094 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #894
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu sfasu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $7,842
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $18,858
Room & Board $7,809 $9,642
Avg Net Price $14,056 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $10,363
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 72%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 9,944
Admitted 1,855 8,901
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 89.5%
Enrolled % 38.1% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/24
SAT Range 905/1190 970/1160
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Graduation Rate 34% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $258

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
% Men 45% 36%
% Women 55% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 57%
% Black 28% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 16%
% 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 SFASU
% In-State 70% 98%
% Out-of-State 29% 1%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus SFASU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Stephen F Austin State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

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

  • Stephen F Austin State University is 11.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($7,842.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.5% higher at SFASU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($18,858.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephen F Austin State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,858 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 23.5% lower than costs at Stephen F Austin State University ($7,809 vs. $9,642)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Stephen F Austin State University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 11.2% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,363 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Stephen F Austin State University (1001) is 13 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • 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 (89.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SFASU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,980 lower median federal student loan debt than SFASU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $25,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans 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/