Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. IPFW

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
Location Magnolia, AR Fort Wayne, IN
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 5,127 8,874
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #864
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu ipfw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $8,049
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $21,015
Room & Board $7,601 $10,332
Avg Net Price $14,164 $12,619
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $6,589
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 6,466
Admitted 1,955 5,539
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 85.7%
Enrolled % 40.8% 24.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 19/26
SAT Range 920/1180 960/1190
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
Graduation Rate 34% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $253

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
% Men 17% 4%
% Women 21% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 28% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus IPFW
% In-State 69% 83%
% Out-of-State 31% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,874 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. IPFW Cost Comparison

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

  • Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is 11.8% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,049.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.4% higher at IPFW than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($21,015.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($12,619 vs. $14,164)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.9% lower than costs at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ($7,601 vs. $10,332)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus as Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 49.1% larger than aid received Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ($9,826 vs. $6,589)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. IPFW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (995) is 7 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming IPFW students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at IPFW (3.37)
  • IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. IPFW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (34% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn on average $700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,480 lower median federal student loan debt than IPFW graduates. ($17,020 vs. $24,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than IPFW graduates. ($175 vs. $253)
  • More IPFW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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