Magnolia, AR · Private University
Is Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$42,386
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,820
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,400
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$61,600
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.75x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
46.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,944
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates earn $2,614 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
61 graduates
25 graduates
31 graduates
63 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $65,322) and the lowest (Design and Applied Arts: $22,016) is $43,306/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $65,322 | 4.2x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $58,870 | 3.8x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $56,816 | 3.7x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $46,872 | 3.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $44,843 | 2.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services(1yr data) | $40,138 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,183 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,133 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,778 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $33,636 | 2.2x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $30,901 | 2.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $26,671 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $26,044 | 1.7x |
| Design and Applied ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $22,016 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $42,386 10 years after starting, $2,614 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.