Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Arkansas
Compare average net price ($14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; $18,209 at University of Arkansas), ROI score (7.55 vs 7.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,386 vs $58,191), and admissions selectivity (75.3% acceptance at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; 74.3% at University of Arkansas) 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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.55 | 7.99 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,027 ✓ | $18,209 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,108 ✓ | $72,836 |
| In-state tuition | $9,960 | $10,104 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,690 | $29,966 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,386 | $58,191 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 75.3% | 74.3% |
| Graduation rate | 48.8% | 70.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 66.2% | 86.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,750 ✓ | $21,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,708 | 28,677 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1047 | 1169 |
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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,187 ✓ | $14,319 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,827 ✓ | $14,322 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,790 ✓ | $15,934 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,654 ✓ | $20,772 |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,244 ✓ | $22,470 |
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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 12.4% | 2.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.1% | 7.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 10% | 0.4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 7% | 0.3% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.5% | 1.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 3.9% |
| Biology, General | 2.5% | 2.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.8% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $4,182 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,728 difference over four years ($56,108 vs $72,836).
University of Arkansas reports $15,805 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($58,191 vs $42,386). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and 86.4% at University of Arkansas. Median federal debt among completers is $18,750 vs $21,500, 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
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Arkansas, 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 $18,209 at University of Arkansas. The annual difference of $4,182 adds up to about $16,728 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Arkansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $58,191 vs $42,386 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $15,805. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Arkansas is more selective at 74.3% acceptance vs 75.3% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
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.