Stock image of College Campus wall

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR, USA

Southern Arkansas University is a 4-year institution with a main campus in Magnolia. SAU offers a variety of majors, including the only computer game and animation design program in the state, and also features an Honors College for enhanced academic preparation. They also operate a working farm, harkening back to their roots as an agricultural school back in 1909, where students can gain firsthand experience and earn money for their college expenses. Under SAU ownership, as well, are greenhouses, forestry plots, gardens, and forage plots.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
63%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is checked
Yes
ACT
ACT is checked
Yes
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application Type Application Deadline Reply Deadline
Fall Regular Decision August 27

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
72%
Out-Of-State Students
23%
100%
Submitting ACT
10%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1085
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
4,434
Total Number of Undergrads
3,160
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

0
100
29%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
42%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
15:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$14,270
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$9,580
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$15,010
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$7,809
Books and Supplies
$1600

Aid & Grants

0
100
83%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
46%
Average Aid Per Year
$8,754
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
46%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,092
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,755

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
61%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,814
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$181

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
43%
57%
Student Organizations
120
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

0
100
39%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Muleriders
School Colors
blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Great American Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is not checked
No
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Shreveport
Dallas
Little Rock
Texarkana
Pine Bluff
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$39,000

What Students Are Saying

This is the most helpful place I have ever been. Wether I am getting good news, or bad news SAU is always there to answer any question I may have. There are no waiting lists and no phone wait tone. I love being a student at Southern Arkansas University!
No name woman
Southern Arkansas University has excellent facilities and a phenomenal staff. They are so willing to help you in every way possible to further your education. SAU earns 5 stars in every aspect!
Baelye
Southern Arkansas University is a great school. They have amazing professors and tutors ready to help you succeed in whatever your major is and they have a lot of student activities going on as well. All around its a great school.
Kyla from Huttig, AR
SAU has a nice community feel about it; everyone knows everyone else. The professors are great and want to make sure you have a great education. Financial aid and housing staff are less than desirable and are slow at processing student information.
Shelby from Emerson, AR
My experience touring the campus of SAU opened my eyes to the opportunities available to me close to home. The Presidential Ambassadors were extremely helpful in introducing me to professors, dorm life and explaining the benefits of campus life preparing me for life after graduating from SAU. I felt more than comfortable and am very excited about attending SAU.
Alexandria from Prescott, AR
Southern Arkansas University has a wonderful campus with friendly people. It's faculty truly cares about helping students with whatever they need. The Athletic Training Program is wonderful, also.
Riley from Crossett, AR
Its a great school with a great staff, everybody that attends the school is very friendly,and it in the south so it is a fun school to attend
William from Hope, AR
This college has a lot to offer no matter what major it is your going into. SAU puts in a lot to their school so that their students will be able to go into the world knowing what their up against. This is probably one of the best schools in Arkansas.
Naulaunie from Magnolia, AR