Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,881 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); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or UNK? 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 UNK ($13,442 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 35.1% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($7,911 vs. $12,198).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,284 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $406 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($11,552 vs. $9,776).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 30 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and UNK? 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,230 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($17,020 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($175 vs. $219).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.