Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (17,433 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); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($13,442 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 27.6% lower than at Tarleton State University ($7,911 vs. $10,920).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $1,658 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at Tarleton than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $2,452 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Tarleton State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($11,552 vs. $7,929).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 80 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Tarleton 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; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) 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. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $2,730 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($17,020 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($175 vs. $204).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.