Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Eastern Kentucky University is in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Eastern Kentucky University 17:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Eastern? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,279 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.5% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($7,911 vs. $12,268).
• Eastern Kentucky University is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $360 more per year; $10,320.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.3% higher at Eastern than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $5,540 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Eastern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 0.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($11,552 vs. $11,468).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is 10 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Eastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 19.9% at Eastern.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Eastern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Eastern have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $37,900), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $6,675 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($17,020 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($175 vs. $245).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.