SU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

SU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or SFASU? 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 Stephen F Austin State University than SU ($14,959 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 12.8% lower than at Southwestern University ($13,144 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 383.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $42,685 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.7% higher at SU than at Stephen F Austin State University (about $30,387 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $23,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Stephen F Austin State University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 228.8% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($35,162 vs. $10,694).

SU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU or SFASU? 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 SFASU and SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 150 points higher than at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming SU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 26/30; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

SU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU and SFASU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephen F Austin State University graduates have a $1,893 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, SFASU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 52%)

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.