Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
Location Magnolia, AR Kearney, NE
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,094 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $12,036
Room & Board $7,809 $11,390
Avg Net Price $14,056 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 6,794
Admitted 1,855 5,842
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 86%
Enrolled % 38.1% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 19/25
SAT Range 905/1190 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
Graduation Rate 34% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $175 $219

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 79%
% Black 28% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
% In-State 70% 85%
% Out-of-State 29% 11%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus UNK
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

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 12.9% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.4% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($12,450.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than UNK ($14,056 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 45.9% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($7,809 vs. $11,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 27.9% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,316 vs. $7,282)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 61 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (61% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $5,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,230 lower median federal student loan debt than UNK graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,250)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than UNK graduates. ($175 vs. $219)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/