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Is Southern Arkansas University Main Campus worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Southern Arkansas University, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Southern Arkansas University sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $42,386 helps, but median debt of $18,750 plus yearly net price of $14,027 creates a tighter path. For context, Southern Arkansas University's net price is about 8% above the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$14,164
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $1,010 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $4,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$14,027
Median earnings 10 years out
$42,386
Median debt at graduation
$18,750
Graduation rate
48%
At Southern Arkansas University, a typical graduate carries about $18,750 in student debt and earns roughly $42,386 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $213 per month, or 6% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Southern Arkansas University is a public four year school in Magnolia, AR. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR
Worth-It Score: 49/100
Median net price: $12,653
Public 4-year
Arkansas State
Jonesboro, AR
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $12,366
Public 4-year
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR
Worth-It Score: 58/100
Median net price: $16,511
Public 4-year
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR
Worth-It Score: 50/100
Median net price: $17,248
Public 4-year
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $18,209
Common questions about Southern Arkansas University
The median net price at Southern Arkansas University is $14,027 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Arkansas? See the most affordable public universities in Arkansas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →