2026–27 academic year · rates effective Fall 2026

Tuition and Fees

What a semester at Southern Arkansas University costs, when it’s due, and the waivers that can bring the out-of-state price down.

Undergraduate · Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Full-time tuition (on campus)

Rates below are per semester at 15 credit hours.

Arkansas resident

$3,900

per semester at 15 credit hours

Tuition per credit hour $260
Each hour above 15 $115
Mandatory fees at 15 hours $1,320

$88 per credit hour
Tuition and fees, 15 hours $5,220

Out-of-state

$6,915

per semester at 15 credit hours

Tuition per credit hour $461
Each hour above 15 $115
Mandatory fees at 15 hours $1,320

$88 per credit hour
Tuition and fees, 15 hours $8,235

Undergraduate students are considered full-time when taking 12 hours. Summer tuition is based on the hourly rate. Book charges are not included in the stated fees. The University reserves the right to change the amounts of fees, on-campus meals, and housing charges or to add new charges at any time such action is deemed necessary.

Graduate tuition · per credit hour

Master’s
Arkansas resident

$338

Master’s
Out-of-state

$530

Doctoral
All students

$400

Graduate students also pay mandatory fees plus a program fee of $90 per hour (master’s) or $50 per hour (doctoral).

Mandatory fees · per credit hour

Mandatory fees, per credit hour

Charged with tuition. At 15 hours they total $1,320 in fall or spring and $945 in summer.

Facility fee $19.50
Athletic fee $19.00

Not charged in summer
Computer technology fee $13.00
Public safety fee $10.00
Academic excellence fee $8.25
Activity fee $5.00

Not charged in summer
Recreation fee $5.00
Library fee $4.25
Student health fee $3.00
Activity enrichment fee $1.00

Not charged in summer
Total per credit hour $88.00

$1,320 at 15 hours · $945 in summer

Selected course and program fees

The complete list is on the fee sheet.

Online course $45

per course
Science lab $32

per lab
Non-science lab $10

per lab
Engineering course $30

per credit hour
Nursing course $25

per credit hour
Applied music (1 hr / 2 hrs / 3 hrs) $50 / $75 / $100
Vehicle registration $30

per year
Late registration $50

per semester
Graduation $120 / $160

undergraduate / graduate

Payment deadlines

When your bill is due

All tuition, fees, and housing charges for those advance registering are due by these dates.

Fall 2026

August 26, 2026

For students who advance-registered.

Spring 2027

January 20, 2027

For students who advance-registered.

Summer 2027

Beginning of term

Due at the beginning of the summer or intersession term.

Deferred payment plan dates

Deferred payment plan fee: $40. Late payment fee (SAU payment plan): $60.

Fall 2026

August 26
September 11
October 9
November 13

Spring 2027

January 20
February 12
March 12
April 16

Fall and spring semesters

Refund percentage brackets

On or before August 21 (fall) · January 15 (spring) 100%
August 22 – September 1 (fall) · January 16 – 26 (spring) 50%
On or after September 2 (fall) · January 27 (spring) 0%

Second 7-week, Summer I, Long Summer, and Summer II brackets are listed on the fee sheet.

Housing and meals · per fall or spring term

Living on campus

Students living in residence halls and apartments must choose a board plan.

Residence halls

$1,912 – $2,450

Traditional, suite-style, and hybrid halls. A private room adds $550 per semester when available.

Apartments

$2,938 – $4,460

University Court and University Village, priced per bed on 9- or 12-month leases.

Meal plans

$1,990 – $2,095

Platinum, Gold, or Silver for residence hall residents. Apartment board options start at $660; commuter options at $125.

Out-of-state tuition waivers

Out-of-state? You may not pay the out-of-state rate.

A non-resident tuition waiver removes the difference between the two rates above, which is $3,015 a semester at 15 hours. Mandatory fees stay the same. You qualify if any one of these fits:

Neighboring states

Home address in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, or Texas.

Bowie and Cass counties, Texas

Home address in Bowie County or Cass County.

North Louisiana parishes

Home address in Claiborne, Webster, Union, Morehouse, Bossier, Caddo, East Carroll, or West Carroll Parish.

Children of alumni, from any state

Son or daughter of an alumnus of Southern Arkansas University, Southern State College, or SAU-Tech.

Waiver of Non-Resident Portion of Tuition (Son/Daughter of Alumnus) (PDF)

Border County Waiver Reclassification Request (PDF)
Waiver of Non-Resident Portion of Tuition (Graduate)

Note: Students wishing to claim any out-of-state waiver for graduate school or the alumnus waiver must complete and submit the relevant form.

Questions about your bill?

Questions about charges, payment plans, or refunds go to the Business Office. Questions about aid go to Financial Aid.

Southern Arkansas University