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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

#1192 in US ranking Magnolia, AR
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$25,195
Tuition & fees
$9,960
Avg. aid
$9,430
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
75%
SAT range
875–1105
ACT range
17–24

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
Median salary
$39,778
1 yr after graduation

What does Southern Arkansas University Main Campus offer in terms of athletics?

Southern Arkansas University competes in NCAA Division II athletics as a member of the Great American Conference. Its varsity teams are known as the Muleriders; representative sports include football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

Varsity participation involves team selection and conference competition. It should not be confused with recreational exercise, informal games, or any intramural activities offered in a particular term. Students who want to compete should check the current team roster, recruiting process, and NCAA eligibility rules. A list of sports associated with campus activity does not mean that each is an SAU varsity team or that athletic aid is available for it.

What student groups and Associations are available at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

SAU offers routes into campus involvement through student government, activities programming, residence-based groups, and academic or interest-based organizations. Examples identified in university student-life information include the Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, Residence Hall Association, and International Student Association.

These groups serve different purposes: student government represents student concerns, while an activities board helps organize events. Academic clubs, arts groups, service organizations, and other recognized groups can offer connections beyond a student's major or residence hall. Organization names and active membership can change, so the current student-organization directory is more useful than an older list when deciding whom to contact. Participation in a recognized organization is also distinct from using a university service such as advising or counseling.

Who studies at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

SAU's reported enrollment is 4,732 students. Its entering population includes both first-time students and transfers: the reported counts were 709 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 183 transfer-in students.

Reported geographic figures indicate that about 71% of students came from Arkansas and 29% from other U.S. states. The student body also includes people beyond the traditional first-year age range, so prospective transfer and returning students are not the only applicants with previous college or life experience. Separate demographic reports may cover different years or student groups; their counts should not be combined as though they describe one identical population. For a prospective student, the enrollment figures describe the institution's scale, not the size of a particular class or major.

How does student life look like at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

SAU combines residential campus activities with a substantial commuter population. Reported housing figures place about 51% of students on campus and 49% commuting, a distinction that can affect when students are available for meetings, performances, and evening events.

Beyond classes, students can attend campus programs, take part in performing arts, and use student support services. SAU reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling, alongside services for veterans. Orientation and academic advising are especially worth examining for a first-time student learning how to register and navigate degree requirements. A commuter may want to check evening parking and event schedules; a residential student may place more weight on weekend programming and access to services outside class hours.

What libraries are available to students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

Magale Library is SAU's main campus library. It provides a place to consult academic materials and work on coursework, rather than relying solely on textbooks or general web searches.

Students should use the library's current catalog and research guides to identify books, scholarly articles, and subject-specific databases available through the university. Research help can be particularly useful when an assignment calls for peer-reviewed evidence or a citation style unfamiliar to the student. The reported library profile does not identify a routinely open 24-hour study area, so anyone planning late-night work should check current building hours and remote-access options. Availability of study spaces and borrowing services should likewise be checked against current library policies.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

4732

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

650

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

153 full time, 165 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 3,084
Graduate: 1,648

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 2,956
Part-time: 1,776

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 352
Men: 298

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 144
Black or African American: 618
White: 1,695
American Indian or Alaska Native: 12
Asian: 21
Two or more races: 158
Unknown: 6

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

MenMenMen

Basketball

BothBothMen

Cheerleading

Both–Men

Cross-country running

BothBothMen

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

BothBothMen

Sand volleyball

–Both–

Soccer

–BothWomen

Softball

WomenWomen–

Swimming and diving

–BothWomen

Table tennis

–Both–

Tennis

BothBothMen

Track and field

BothBothMen

Ultimate Frisbee

–BothWomen

Volleyball

WomenWomen–

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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