Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UTC

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or UTC 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. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
Location Magnolia, AR Chattanooga, TN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 5,127 11,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #815
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu utc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $8,232
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $16,296
Room & Board $7,601 $10,052
Avg Net Price $14,164 $13,801
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $9,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 9,096
Admitted 1,955 7,006
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 77%
Enrolled % 40.8% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/25
SAT Range 920/1180 1005/1185
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
Graduation Rate 34% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $20,792
Median Loan Payment $175 $214

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
% Men 17% 5%
% Women 21% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 75%
% Black 28% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 7%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
% In-State 69% 88%
% Out-of-State 31% 11%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UTC
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

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (11,380 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UTC Cost Comparison

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

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is 14.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,232.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.5% higher at UTC than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($16,296.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,801 vs. $14,164)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 32.2% lower than costs at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ($7,601 vs. $10,052)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students is 0.1% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($9,834 vs. $9,826)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UTC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1087) is 99 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming UTC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • UTC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UTC is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga earn on average $2,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,772 lower median federal student loan debt than UTC graduates. ($17,020 vs. $20,792)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than UTC graduates. ($175 vs. $214)
  • More UTC 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/