Overview
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.
Acceptance Rate:
64%
Average Net Price:
$14,270
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.5
Average ACT Composite
22
Average SAT Composite
1085
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & 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. | $9,820 |
| 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. | $15,400 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $7,601 |
| Books and Supplies | $1600 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
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. 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.
43%
Average Aid Per Year
$9,316
43%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,407
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,324
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
45%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1468
50%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,407
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.
48%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,949
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
Students receiving federal loans
47%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,450
Average Other Loans Per Year
$10,284
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
2916
Students Applied
194
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
Yes
ACT
Yes
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | August 27 |
Applications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
99%
Submitting ACT
8%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
Average SAT Composite: 1085
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.5
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
5,094
Total Number of Undergrads
3,148
0
100
28%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
41%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
15:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
Learning Options
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
47
Faculty Overview
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
19
Countries Represented
22
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
42%
Student Organizations
120
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
39%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
86%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Muleriders
School Colors
blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Great American Conference
Total Male Athletes
239
Total Female Athletes
118
Intramural Sports
15
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Rodeo
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Rodeo
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
No
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$39,000
Top 5 Cities
Shreveport
Dallas
Little Rock
Texarkana
Pine Bluff
Top 5 Employers
Southern Arkansas University
Walmart
Murphy USA
Verizon
Lockheed Martin
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Operations
Business Development
Sales
Engineering
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
Loan Default Rate
13%
National: 8%
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
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingThis 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
The classes are well oriented. The student teacher ratio is 25:1 which makes it easy for the teacher to teach the class while helping every student in the class. It is more easier for a student to learn also because there are less distractions by fellow students.
Shequita from Strong, AR
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
yes because there is a lot of help on and off campus
Victoria from Texarkana, 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
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