University of South Alabama vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

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

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Location Mobile, AL Magnolia, AR
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,438 5,094
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #868
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu saumag.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $7,020
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $12,450
Room & Board $8,510 $7,809
Avg Net Price $15,664 $14,056
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $9,316
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 2,916
Admitted 8,203 1,855
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 63.6%
Enrolled % 19.7% 38.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 17/24
SAT Range 1003/1200 905/1190
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Graduation Rate 39% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $17,020
Median Loan Payment $253 $175

Diversity

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% Men 32% 45%
% Women 68% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 63%
% Black 24% 28%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

University of South Alabama Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% In-State 73% 70%
% Out-of-State 25% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 5,094 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

  • University of South Alabama is 22.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,616.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.4% higher at University of South Alabama than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($17,232.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of South Alabama ($14,056 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 9% lower than costs at University of South Alabama ($7,809 vs. $8,510)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of South Alabama (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 21.2% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($9,316 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 57 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • University of South Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $7,300 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,480 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($17,020 vs. $24,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($175 vs. $253)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 44%)

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