Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1.

Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Arkansas ($13,442 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 44.5% lower than at University of Arkansas ($7,911 vs. $14,244).
• University of Arkansas is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $144 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91% higher at Arkansas than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $14,276 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Arkansas (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 31.2% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($11,552 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 140 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,480 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($17,020 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.