MSU Billings vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Montana State University Billings and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, located in the vibrant cities of Billings, Montana, and Magnolia, Arkansas, respectively, offer distinct educational experiences. With acceptance rates of 99% and 100%, respectively, both universities welcome students from diverse backgrounds. While MSU Billings boasts a larger student body, SAU Main Campus offers a more intimate learning environment. Explore their popular majors, including Business, Education, and Nursing at MSU Billings, and Business, Education, and Agriculture at SAU Main Campus. Discover the differences in graduation rates, student demographics, and more in the comprehensive comparison table provided. Whether you seek a bustling campus life or a close-knit community, this side-by-side analysis will help you find the university that best aligns with your academic and personal aspirations.
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![]() Montana State University Billings |
![]() Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Billings, Montana | Magnolia, Arkansas |
Campus setting | City: 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 | 57.0% | 64.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 62.6% |
Application fees | $40 | $25 |
SAT range | N/A | 930 - 1140 |
ACT range | N/A | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 100.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,813 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,761 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 632 | |
Yield rate | 35.9% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,258
Out of state:
$33,588
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In state:
$26,411
Out of state:
$31,631
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Average net price | $12,626 | $14,141 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,485
Out of state:
$17,678
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In state:
$6,750
Out of state:
$11,970
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,096
Meal plan:
$3,860
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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) |
85.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
98.0%
Average amount $8,861 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,398 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,247 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $10,623 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,817 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,728
Men 35.8% Women 64.2% |
3,160
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
Graduate students |
386
Men 23.6% Women 76.4% |
1,274
Men 35.2% Women 64.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 11.6% | 28.0% |
International students | 1.6% | 7.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 480 | 2,032 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Montana Washington California Wyoming Idaho | 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 | 15:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 28.1% | 40.1% |
Dropout rate | 41.6% | 23.3% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 35.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (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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