About Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Southern Arkansas University serves farm communities and small towns across the region through strong agricultural and teacher education programs. The university enrolls 2,865 students in the rural town of Magnolia, where future farmers, educators, and business leaders develop practical skills for regional careers. SAU accepts 64% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21, drawing primarily from Arkansas families seeking affordable, career-focused education.
Students pay an average net price of $15,944 after financial aid, with nearly half receiving Pell Grants to help cover costs. Graduates earn a median salary of $42,386 ten years after leaving school, carrying typical debt loads of $18,750 with monthly payments around $199. The numbers work for students pursuing teaching, agriculture, and business careers common in rural Arkansas, though the 47% graduation rate suggests many struggle to complete their degrees.
The Muleriders compete in 14 NCAA Division II sports with over $1.9 million in athletic scholarships supporting 446 student-athletes. Campus housing accommodates most of the student body in a close-knit environment where 73% of students come from in-state. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention that helps explain the strong 94% employment rate among graduates.
Students pay an average net price of $15,944 after financial aid, with nearly half receiving Pell Grants to help cover costs. Graduates earn a median salary of $42,386 ten years after leaving school, carrying typical debt loads of $18,750 with monthly payments around $199. The numbers work for students pursuing teaching, agriculture, and business careers common in rural Arkansas, though the 47% graduation rate suggests many struggle to complete their degrees.
The Muleriders compete in 14 NCAA Division II sports with over $1.9 million in athletic scholarships supporting 446 student-athletes. Campus housing accommodates most of the student body in a close-knit environment where 73% of students come from in-state. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention that helps explain the strong 94% employment rate among graduates.
Academics & Faculty
Southern Arkansas University centers its academic mission around teacher education and agricultural programs that serve rural Arkansas communities. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to professors, though the 46.5% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to finish their degrees. SAU's College of Education has deep ties to regional school districts, placing graduates throughout southwestern Arkansas. The university's agricultural programs connect to the region's farming economy, offering hands-on experience through campus facilities. With an average SAT score of 1048, SAU admits students who need additional academic support to succeed in college-level coursework.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 45.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 46.5%
- Retention Rate
- 69.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,386
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,402 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,402 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $55,151 |
| Physics. | Bachelor | $52,107 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor | $42,682 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $42,458 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,980 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $37,568 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
Campus Life
Magnolia sits 90 miles southwest of Little Rock in rural Arkansas, where winters require a light jacket but summers demand serious air conditioning. The campus houses 2,141 students in residence halls, accommodating roughly three-quarters of the 2,865 enrollment. Students call themselves Muleriders, a unique nickname that reflects the school's agricultural heritage and unpretentious character.
Weekend life revolves around NCAA Division II athletics, with 446 student-athletes competing across 14 sports in the Great American Conference. The town of 11,000 people doubles as both campus and community, creating a close-knit environment where professors know students by name thanks to the 16:1 student-faculty ratio. Small-town Arkansas means outdoor activities like fishing and hunting are popular pastimes. With 73% of students coming from in-state, many go home on weekends, but campus programming keeps residential students engaged. The agricultural and education programs attract students who appreciate hands-on learning in a supportive, rural setting where everyone knows everyone.
Weekend life revolves around NCAA Division II athletics, with 446 student-athletes competing across 14 sports in the Great American Conference. The town of 11,000 people doubles as both campus and community, creating a close-knit environment where professors know students by name thanks to the 16:1 student-faculty ratio. Small-town Arkansas means outdoor activities like fishing and hunting are popular pastimes. With 73% of students coming from in-state, many go home on weekends, but campus programming keeps residential students engaged. The agricultural and education programs attract students who appreciate hands-on learning in a supportive, rural setting where everyone knows everyone.
- Setting
- Town-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 2,141 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
Campus Safety (2023)
3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 31°–55°F
- July Avg
- 69°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 56.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 1.7"
Student Demographics
Southern Arkansas University draws students primarily from within Arkansas, with 73% coming from in-state. The student body reflects the school's mission as an accessible regional university, with nearly half receiving Pell Grants. Women make up 58% of enrollment, typical for education-focused institutions like SAU. The racial composition mirrors rural Arkansas demographics, with 62% white students and 23% Black students. Most students come from working-class backgrounds seeking affordable career preparation in teaching, agriculture, and other practical fields that serve the regional economy.
- Men
- 42.3%
- Women
- 57.7%
- White
- 62.3%
- Black
- 23.1%
- Hispanic
- 5.7%
- Asian
- 0.6%
- In-State Students
- 73.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 44.6%
Location
Southern Arkansas University sits in Magnolia, a small town about 60 miles southwest of Little Rock in rural southwestern Arkansas. The campus serves 2,865 students in a classic small college town setting surrounded by timberland and agricultural communities. Magnolia's population hovers around 11,000 residents, making the university a central part of the town's identity and economy. The area offers outdoor recreation opportunities with nearby state parks and forests, but students looking for big-city amenities will need to drive over an hour to reach Little Rock or Shreveport, Louisiana. Students considering colleges in Arkansas may also compare Southern Arkansas University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Magnolia, Arkansas 71753
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,386
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $48,919
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $30,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 48.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $199/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,750
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accepts 63.61% of applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 905-1190 on the SAT, making this a moderately selective regional university that welcomes students with average test scores.
How much does Southern Arkansas University Main Campus cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $15,944 annually for all students. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $14,823 after aid, while the median debt load of $18,750 keeps borrowing manageable for this affordable Arkansas public university.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?
Southern Arkansas University maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio across its 2,865 students. The university is known for its strong agricultural and teacher education programs, giving students access to hands-on learning in these traditional strengths.
What are the graduation rates at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?
The six-year graduation rate stands at 46.50%, while 45.53% of students finish in four years. Graduates earn a median salary of $42,386 ten years after graduation, reflecting the regional employment market in rural Arkansas.
Where is Southern Arkansas University Main Campus located and what is campus life like?
The university sits in Magnolia, Arkansas, a remote town setting with housing capacity for 2,141 students. With 446 student-athletes competing in 14 NCAA Division II sports as the Muleriders, athletics play a central role in campus culture at this close-knit regional university.
Does Southern Arkansas University Main Campus offer good financial aid?
44.60% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant need-based aid for lower-income families. The loan repayment rate of 48.65% suggests many graduates struggle to pay back their debt, though the monthly payment of $199 remains relatively modest.
