Fitchburg State vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Fitchburg State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, located in opposite corners of the country, offer distinct educational experiences. Fitchburg State, nestled in central Massachusetts, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while Southern Arkansas, situated in Magnolia, Arkansas, has a smaller student population and a higher graduation rate. Both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with Fitchburg State excelling in fields like education, nursing, and business, and Southern Arkansas specializing in areas such as agriculture, business, and education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Fitchburg State University |
![]() Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Fitchburg, Massachusetts | Magnolia, Arkansas |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 64.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.3% | 62.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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$25 |
SAT range | 980 - 1180 | 930 - 1140 |
ACT range | 18 - 25 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | 10.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | 100.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,414 | 2,813 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,911 | 1,761 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 567 | 632 |
Yield rate | 19.5% | 35.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,330
Out of state:
$30,410
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In state:
$26,411
Out of state:
$31,631
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Average net price | $16,862 | $14,141 |
Tuition |
In state:
$970
Out of state:
$7,050
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In state:
$6,750
Out of state:
$11,970
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,990
Meal plan:
$3,770
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Room/dormitory:
$4,340
Meal plan:
$3,444
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
88.0%
Average amount $6,170 |
98.0%
Average amount $8,861 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
62.0%
Average amount $4,912 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,247 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $12,352 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,817 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,349
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
3,160
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
Graduate students |
3,325
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
1,274
Men 35.2% Women 64.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 28.0% |
International students | 2.1% | 7.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 1,737 | 2,032 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi Connecticut New Hampshire Florida New York | Arkansas Texas Louisiana Oklahoma Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.1% | 40.1% |
Dropout rate | 14.3% | 23.3% |
Transferred out | 27.0% | 35.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
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