Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Salem State University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
Location Magnolia, AR Salem, MA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,094 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $7,050
Room & Board $7,809 $14,954
Avg Net Price $14,056 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 5,093
Admitted 1,855 4,719
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 92.7%
Enrolled % 38.1% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 905/1190 986/1210
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 1, 2024

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
Graduation Rate 34% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $248

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
% Men 45% 31%
% Women 55% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 68%
% Black 28% 9%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Salem State University
% In-State 70% 90%
% Out-of-State 29% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 671.4% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.6% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Salem State University ($12,450.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Salem State University ($14,056 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 91.5% lower than costs at Salem State University ($7,809 vs. $14,954)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus as Salem State University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 8.8% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,316 vs. $8,562)

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

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

  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (42% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $6,980 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $24,000)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($175 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)

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