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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, Arkansas 71753

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public town institution in Magnolia, Arkansas. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1050.

A mid-sized campus of 2.9K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

47% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $42,386 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,944.

Established
1909
Type
Public university
Conference
Great American Conference
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

67%Acceptance
1050SAT Avg
2,865Students
16:1Student:Faculty
47%Grad Rate
$42,386Earnings 10yr
$15,944Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate66.6%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1050

Reading & WritingMid: 515
460590
MathMid: 520
460590

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1723

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,820
Tuition (out-of-state)$15,400
Room & Board$7,601
Books & Supplies$1,600
Total Cost of Attendance$24,721
Average Net Price$15,944
Median Debt at Graduation$18,750
Monthly Payment (10yr)$199

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,823
$30–48K$15,172
$48–75K$15,686
$75–110K$19,378
$110K+$18,896

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

33.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

19

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (59)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,865
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
42%
Pell Grant Recipients
45%

Race & Ethnicity

White 62%
Black 23%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 1%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.5%
Freshman Retention69.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,008
10 Years$42,386

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • " Its first term began in January 1911, with its curriculum including only subjects at the secondary school level.
  • In 1925, the State Legislature authorized the school to add two years of college work and to change its name to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District (Magnolia A M).
  • The school continued to offer both high school and junior college courses until 1937, at which time the high school courses were discontinued.
  • In the fall of 1949, the Board of Trustees, exercising authority vested in it by the State Legislature, decided to develop the college as a four-year, degree-granting institution.
  • The Board authorized the addition of third-year college level courses to being with the fall semester of 1950.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

86Low

Estimated from AR state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Dallaspop. 1.3M
209 mi(362 min)
Houstonpop. 2.3M
274 mi(475 min)
New Orleanspop. 380K
297 mi(515 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MEM Memphis222 mi
DFW Dallas-Fort Worth222 mi
IAH Houston Intercontinental259 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1357 mi · ~39h 12m drive
New York, NY1175 mi · ~33h 57m drive
Hartford, CT1265 mi · ~36h 33m drive
Providence, RI1328 mi · ~38h 22m drive
Albany, NY1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY1144 mi · ~33h 3m drive
Rochester, NY1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Buffalo, NY1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Philadelphia, PA1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Pittsburgh, PA881 mi · ~25h 27m drive
Harrisburg, PA1023 mi · ~29h 33m drive
Newark, NJ1167 mi · ~33h 43m drive
Washington, DC982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Baltimore, MD1012 mi · ~29h 14m drive
Atlanta, GA510 mi · ~14h 44m drive
Charlotte, NC720 mi · ~20h 48m drive
Raleigh, NC848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
Miami, FL940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Orlando, FL775 mi · ~22h 23m drive
Tampa, FL739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
Nashville, TN417 mi · ~12h 3m drive
New Orleans, LA297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Richmond, VA935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Chicago, IL668 mi · ~19h 18m drive
Detroit, MI835 mi · ~24h 7m drive
Minneapolis, MN807 mi · ~23h 19m drive
St. Louis, MO406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
Kansas City, MO408 mi · ~11h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Columbus, OH730 mi · ~21h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH849 mi · ~24h 32m drive
Milwaukee, WI733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
Dallas, TX209 mi · ~6h 2m drive
Houston, TX274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Austin, TX337 mi · ~9h 44m drive
San Antonio, TX409 mi · ~11h 49m drive
Los Angeles, CA1435 mi · ~41h 27m drive
San Francisco, CA1663 mi · ~48h 3m drive
San Diego, CA1384 mi · ~39h 59m drive
Seattle, WA1805 mi · ~52h 9m drive
Portland, OR1770 mi · ~51h 8m drive
Denver, CO789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Phoenix, AZ1086 mi · ~31h 22m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1148 mi · ~33h 10m drive
Honolulu, HI3992 mi · ~115h 19m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

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