Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,214 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); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,442 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 28.3% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,911 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $401 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $5,329 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Southwest Minnesota State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($11,552 vs. $8,674).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 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 Southwest Minnesota State University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Southwest Minnesota State University? 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,658 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($17,020 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($175 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.