Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,605 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); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or VSU? 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 VSU ($13,442 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 40.8% lower than at Virginia State University ($7,911 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $83 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.4% higher at VSU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $6,960 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Virginia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,447 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is 30 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) 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. 14.3% at VSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $12,480 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($175 vs. $305).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 28%)

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.