Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Alcorn State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Alcorn State University in Alcorn State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Alcorn State University based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 2,995 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Alcorn State University is in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alcorn State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Alcorn State University 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Alcorn State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Alcorn State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alcorn State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,376 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.2% lower than at Alcorn State University ($7,911 vs. $12,204).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alcorn State University (about $1,175 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.6% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Alcorn State University (about $6,905 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Alcorn State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Alcorn State University students ($11,552 vs. $11,375).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Alcorn State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Alcorn State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alcorn State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is 160 points higher than at Alcorn State University (830).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Alcorn State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Alcorn State University 670/998.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Alcorn State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Alcorn State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Alcorn State University (3.2).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Alcorn State University (45.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 20.6% at Alcorn State University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Alcorn State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Alcorn State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Alcorn State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $11,230 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($17,020 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($175 vs. $292).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.