Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Tarleton State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (17,433 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); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 27.6% lower than at Tarleton State University ($7,911 vs. $10,920).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at Tarleton than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $2,452 more per year; $18,142 vs. $15,690).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Tarleton State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($11,552 vs. $7,929).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tarleton than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are required at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, test optional at Tarleton.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus average a 3.46 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Tarleton (3.21).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $2,730 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($17,020 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($175 vs. $204).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 44%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.