Southern Arkansas University, also known as SAU, is a public university located in Magnolia, Arkansas. Magnolia is a small town located in southwest Arkansas, and SAU is situated just a few miles from the Arkansas-Louisiana border.
SAU offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges: the Rankin College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal and Performing Arts, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Honors College. The university also offers online programs for students who need more flexibility in their schedules.
Popular undergraduate majors at SAU include nursing, biology, criminal justice, education, psychology, and business administration. The university also offers pre-professional programs in fields such as pre-law, pre-medicine, and pre-veterinary medicine.
Graduate programs at SAU include business, education, and computer and information science. The university also offers a doctorate in education, which is the only doctoral program offered at SAU.
One of the unique programs offered at SAU is the Game and Animation Design program, which prepares students for careers in the gaming industry. The program focuses on the design and development of video games, and students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
In addition to traditional academic programs, SAU also offers a number of extracurricular activities and organizations for students to get involved in. These include Greek life, student government, academic and professional organizations, and a variety of clubs and sports teams.
SAU has a total enrollment of around 4,000 students, with approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students. The university has a relatively low student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, which allows for personalized attention and a more intimate learning environment.
As a public university, SAU is affordable for in-state and out-of-state students. For the 2022-2023 academic year, tuition and fees for undergraduate students are $8,274 per year for in-state students and $11,964 per year for out-of-state students. Graduate tuition and fees vary depending on the program, but are generally lower than undergraduate tuition.
SAU also offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities for students. The university offers academic scholarships, need-based scholarships, and talent-based scholarships for students with particular skills or interests.