Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; East Central University 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or ECU? 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 East Central University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($8,565 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 7.1% lower than at East Central University ($7,911 vs. $8,516).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $1,928 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at ECU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $2,152 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at East Central University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 24.8% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($11,552 vs. $9,255).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or ECU? 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 ECU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at ECU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ECU (3.31).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 42.4% at ECU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and ECU? 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).

• The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is the same as at East Central University (34% vs. 34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $142 lower median loan debt than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($16,878 vs. $17,020).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($174 vs. $175).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 44%)

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.