Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Columbus State

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
Location Magnolia, AR Columbus, GA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 5,094 7,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #995
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu columbusstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $4,371
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $15,425
Room & Board $7,809 $12,080
Avg Net Price $14,056 $12,902
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $9,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 3,870
Admitted 1,855 3,398
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 87.8%
Enrolled % 38.1% 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.07
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 16/23
SAT Range 905/1190 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2024 Jun 30, 2024

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
Graduation Rate 34% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $268

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 51%
% Black 28% 37%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Columbus State
% In-State 70% 92%
% Out-of-State 29% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Columbus State?

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 60.6% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.9% higher at Columbus State than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($15,425.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,902 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 54.7% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($7,809 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Columbus State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 1.8% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($9,316 vs. $9,147)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Columbus State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is 27 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

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

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Columbus State? 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 Columbus State and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Columbus State University (34% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn on average $500 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $37,400)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $8,980 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($17,020 vs. $26,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($175 vs. $268)
  • More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 37%)

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