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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, Arkansas · Public · 4-year · Town

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At a glance

Average net price
$14,027What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
75%
Graduation rate
48%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
2,708
In-state tuition
$9,960Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$15,690
SAT midpoint
1,035
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$42,386Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$14,027

Better than 55% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

48%

Better than 37% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$42,386

Better than 9% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$18,750

Better than 72% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$24,951

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$14,027

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time48%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return66%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$18,750
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$42,386

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$67,21332
Physics$58,87023
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$44,84325
Agricultural Business and Management$41,32535
Accounting and Related Services$40,13825
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$37,59078
Business/Commerce, General$34,91076
Psychology, General$31,42632
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$30,90133
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$29,85434
Criminal Justice and Corrections$28,54127
Computer and Information Sciences, General$26,67126
Biology, General$26,04447
Design and Applied Arts$22,01612
Engineering, GeneralNot reported19
Visual and Performing Arts, OtherNot reported15
Public HealthNot reported13
Social WorkNot reported9
JournalismNot reported7
HistoryNot reported7
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported7
MathematicsNot reported5
ChemistryNot reported4
History and Political ScienceNot reported3
CriminologyNot reported3
Community Organization and AdvocacyNot reported2
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported2
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNot reportedNot reported
MusicNot reportedNot reported
Social Sciences, GeneralNot reportedNot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reportedNot reported
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reportedNot reported
Business Administration, Management and OperationsNot reportedNot reported
Political Science and GovernmentNot reportedNot reported

All 35 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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