Head-to-head · 2026
Arkansas State University vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Compare average net price ($12,366 at Arkansas State University; $14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus), ROI score (8.62 vs 7.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,617 vs $42,386), and admissions selectivity (82.3% acceptance at Arkansas State University; 75.3% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Arkansas State University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.62 ✓ | 7.55 |
| Avg net price | $12,366 ✓ | $14,027 |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,464 ✓ | $56,108 |
| In-state tuition | $8,090 | $9,960 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,522 | $15,690 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,617 ✓ | $42,386 |
| Acceptance rate | 82.3% | 75.3% |
| Graduation rate | 55.4% ✓ | 48.8% |
| Retention rate | 78.1% ✓ | 66.2% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,110 | 2,708 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1090 | 1047 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Arkansas State University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,098 ✓ | $13,187 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,255 ✓ | $12,827 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,205 ✓ | $13,790 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,839 | $15,654 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,444 ✓ | $19,244 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Arkansas State University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.1% | 22.4% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 17.8% | 3.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.1% | 12.4% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 0.1% | 10% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 5% | 4.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.7% | 2.4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.9% | 7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.5% | 4.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Arkansas State University reports the lower average net price by $1,661 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,644 difference over four years ($49,464 vs $56,108).
Arkansas State University reports $231 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,617 vs $42,386). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.1% at Arkansas State University and 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $20,500 vs $18,750, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Arkansas State University vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Arkansas State University is cheaper — average net price $12,366 per year vs $14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The annual difference of $1,661 adds up to about $6,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Arkansas State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,617 vs $42,386 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $231. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is more selective at 75.3% acceptance vs 82.3% at Arkansas State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.