Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
Location Magnolia, AR Nevada, MO
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,127 266
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #885
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu cottey.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $24,518
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $24,518
Room & Board $7,601 $9,450
Avg Net Price $14,164 $18,430
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $18,402
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 567
Admitted 1,955 376
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 66.3%
Enrolled % 40.8% 17.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/25
SAT Range 920/1180 1030/1120
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (100%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
Graduation Rate 34% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $33,900
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $12,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $124

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
% Men 17% 0%
% Women 21% 73%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 60%
% Black 28% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 3% 14%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
% In-State 69% 34%
% Out-of-State 31% 63%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cottey College
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

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (5,127 students vs. 266 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Cottey College?

  • Cottey College is 240.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($24,518.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.8% higher at Cottey College than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($24,518.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Cottey College ($14,164 vs. $18,430)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 24.3% lower than costs at Cottey College ($7,601 vs. $9,450)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cottey College than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 87.3% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($18,402 vs. $9,826)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cottey College (1049) is 61 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Cottey College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Cottey College (3.39)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (66.6%) than Cottey College (66.3%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Cottey College? 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 Cottey College and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn on average $4,000 more per year than Cottey College graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $33,900)
  • Cottey College students graduate with a $5,020 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates. ($12,000 vs. $17,020)
  • Cottey College graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates. ($124 vs. $175)
  • More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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