Head-to-head · 2026
John Brown University vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Compare average net price ($20,397 at John Brown University; $14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus), ROI score (6.61 vs 7.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,907 vs $42,386), and admissions selectivity (76.1% acceptance at John Brown 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 | John Brown University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.61 | 7.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,397 | $14,027 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $81,588 | $56,108 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $31,756 | $9,960 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $31,756 | $15,690 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,907 ✓ | $42,386 |
| Acceptance rate | 76.1% | 75.3% |
| Graduation rate | 71.8% ✓ | 48.8% |
| Retention rate | 81.5% ✓ | 66.2% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $18,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,471 | 2,708 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1195 | 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 | John Brown University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,484 | $13,187 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,210 | $12,827 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,655 | $13,790 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,433 | $15,654 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,627 | $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 | John Brown University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 20% | 4.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.4% | 22.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.7% | 12.4% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 3.9% | 10% |
| Psychology, General | 6.5% | 1.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.1% | 4.5% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 1.7% | 4.2% |
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $6,370 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,480 difference over four years ($56,108 vs $81,588).
John Brown University reports $11,521 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,907 vs $42,386). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.5% at John Brown University and 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $21,250 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.
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Frequently asked
John Brown 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?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $14,027 per year vs $20,397 at John Brown University. The annual difference of $6,370 adds up to about $25,480 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
John Brown University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,907 vs $42,386 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $11,521. 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 76.1% at John Brown 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.