University of South Alabama vs. Arkansas State University

Should I go to University of South Alabama or Arkansas State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or Arkansas State University 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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University of South Alabama vs. Arkansas State University Main Campus comparison
University of South Alabama Arkansas State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama Arkansas State University Main Campus
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Overview

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Location Mobile, AL Jonesboro, AR
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,438 13,190
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #859
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu astate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $6,888
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $12,744
Room & Board $8,510 $10,100
Avg Net Price $15,664 $12,011
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $11,225
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 6,045
Admitted 8,203 4,202
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 69.5%
Enrolled % 19.7% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/25
SAT Range 1003/1200 980/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Graduation Rate 39% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $253 $201

Diversity

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
% Men 32% 35%
% Women 68% 65%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 74%
% Black 24% 14%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
% In-State 73% 81%
% Out-of-State 25% 12%

Campus

University of South Alabama Arkansas State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Arkansas State University based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 13,190 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Arkansas State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Arkansas State University?

  • University of South Alabama is 25.1% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($8,616.00 vs. $6,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.2% higher at University of South Alabama than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($17,232.00 vs. $12,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than University of South Alabama ($12,011 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 18.7% lower than costs at Arkansas State University Main Campus ($8,510 vs. $10,100)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 46% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($11,225 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. Arkansas State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 43 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Arkansas State University (3.66)
  • Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (69.5%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. Arkansas State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Arkansas State University? 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 Arkansas State University and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (39% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $9,200 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($201 vs. $253)
  • More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 45%)

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