Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Shepherd 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Shepherd University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Location Magnolia, AR Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 5,094 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $15,774
Room & Board $7,809 $10,987
Avg Net Price $14,056 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 1,690
Admitted 1,855 1,620
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 95.9%
Enrolled % 38.1% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 19/24
SAT Range 905/1190 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2024

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 34% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $175 $229

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 28% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
% In-State 70% 64%
% Out-of-State 29% 35%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Shepherd University
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 Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (5,094 students vs. 3,235 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 11.6% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.7% higher at Shepherd University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($15,774.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($9,827 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 40.7% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($7,809 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Shepherd University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 27.1% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($9,316 vs. $7,328)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 7 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (46% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,203 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,223)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($175 vs. $229)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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