Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UAFS

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,496 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); University of Arkansas Fort Smith is in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UAFS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or UAFS? 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 University of Arkansas Fort Smith than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,159 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 21.5% lower than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($7,911 vs. $10,082).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,626 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $3,508 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 49.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($11,552 vs. $7,715).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UAFS Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• 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; UAFS - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UAFS (3.39).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) 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. 40.2% at UAFS.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UAFS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $2,888 lower median loan debt than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($14,132 vs. $17,020).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($146 vs. $175).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.