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Magnolia , AR
Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, commonly referred to as SAU, is a public institution located in Magnolia, Arkansas. Founded in 1909, SAU offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its six academic colleges. With a student population of around 4,000, SAU provides a close-knit and supportive community for its students.
SAU offers a diverse range of academic programs, including business, liberal and performing arts, engineering and computer science, education, and many others. The university is known for its strong emphasis on hands-on learning experiences and practical application of knowledge. Through internships, research opportunities, and community engagement projects, SAU students gain real-world skills that prepare them for success in their chosen careers. Additionally, SAU places a high value on student-faculty interaction, with small class sizes that allow for personalized attention and mentoring.
Beyond academics, SAU provides a vibrant and dynamic campus life. Students can participate in over 100 student organizations, including academic clubs, honor societies, Greek life, and intramural sports. The Mulerider athletics program is also highly popular, with SAU competing in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference. Students can attend sporting events to cheer on the Muleriders in various sports, including football, softball, baseball, and soccer.
In summary, Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia offers a well-rounded education that combines rigorous academic programs with practical experiences. With its diverse range of programs, personalized attention, and vibrant campus life, SAU provides a supportive environment for students to grow academically, socially, and personally. Whether exploring career opportunities, getting involved in campus life, or enjoying athletic events, SAU students have ample opportunities to make lasting memories and build a strong foundation for their future.
Located in Magnolia, AR, Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is 66% and the six-year graduation rate is 45%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 27. The transfer application deadline is July 27.
To find out more about what Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
3,102
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
45%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Learn some essential facts about admission at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,040 in 2025. Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 92% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 10% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 46% between 1,000 and 1,199, 36% of the students between 800 and 999, and 8% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6, 19 between 24-29, 48 in the range between 18-23, 26 between 12-17, and 1 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 21 and the average GPA was 3.49. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 506 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 492.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is August 27. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is July 27.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia was 66% in 2025.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 45%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right fit for you. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 4,732 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 31% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 3,102, 39 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 253.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,241 male and 1,715 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 16 Asian students and 620 Afro-American students in 2025. 157 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 143 identified with more than one race. There were also 11 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 486 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,598.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,284 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 2,009.
$6,080
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,003 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 485 full-time freshmen.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 312 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 147 men and 164 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia.
It has a campus size of 1,390 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 120 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. 1 percent of male and 1 of female students participate actively in different organizations at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia. The most popular student organization is International Student Association, followed by Residential College and Resident Hall Association. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Activities Board and Student Government Association.
Students interested in music can join the Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia band or chorus. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. Interested in media and communication? Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia.
All in all, campus life at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia.
Career Counselling
At Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is located in Magnolia, AR.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is 75%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia is 66%.
Contact Information
Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia
100 E. University
Magnolia , AR
72032
870 235-4000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.