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.
Tuition 2026–2027 · Fall and Spring
Undergraduate tuition
Per semester at 15 hours. Undergraduate students are considered full-time when enrolled in 12 hours.
In-state
$3,900
per semester, 15 hours
-
Tuition per hour $260
-
Tuition rate for each hour above 15 $115
-
Total mandatory fees (15 hours) $1,320
-
Tuition and mandatory fees (15 hours) $5,220
Out-of-state
$6,915
per semester, 15 hours
-
Tuition per hour $461
-
Tuition rate for each hour above 15 $115
-
Total mandatory fees (15 hours) $1,320
-
Tuition and mandatory fees (15 hours) $8,235
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 hour
Master’s
In-state
In-state
$338
Master’s
Out-of-state
Out-of-state
$530
Doctoral
In-state and out-of-state
In-state and out-of-state
$400
Program fees: master’s $90 per hour, doctoral $50 per hour.
Fall / Spring rates
Mandatory fees, per hour
Activity, activity enrichment, and athletic fees are not charged 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 mandatory fees (15 hours) $1,320
Summer: $945
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 hour
-
Nursing course $25
per hour
-
Applied music (1 hr / 2 hrs / 3 hrs) $50 / $75 / $100
-
Vehicle registration $30
annual; $20 in summer if not purchased in fall or spring
-
Late registration $50
per semester
-
Graduation $120 / $160
undergraduate / graduate
Payment deadlines
Payment due dates
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
September 11
October 9
November 13
Spring 2027
January 20
February 12
March 12
April 16
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 board rates 2026–2027 · Fall / Spring, per term
Housing and board
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, per bed, on 9-month, 12-month, or early (12 in 9) leases.
Board options
$1,990 – $2,095
Residence hall options: Platinum, Gold, or Silver. Apartment board options from $660. Commuter meal options from $125.
Non-resident students
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers
Students from out-of-state may qualify for a non-resident tuition waiver, significantly reducing their overall cost to attend SAU. To qualify for an out-of-state waiver, students must meet one of the following criteria:
Contiguous state
Students living in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, or Texas.
- Live in University housing
- No form to complete
Bowie County
Students with a home address in Bowie County or Cass County.
- No housing requirement
- No form to complete
Louisiana parish
Students with a home address in the parishes of Claiborne, Webster, Union, Morehouse, Bossier, Caddo, East Carroll, or West Carroll.
- No housing requirement
- No form to complete
Son or daughter of an alumnus
Son or daughter of an alumnus of Southern Arkansas University, Southern State College, or SAU-Tech, from any state.
- Live in University housing or within driving distance
- Form required
Note: Students wishing to claim any out-of-state waiver for graduate school or the alumnus waiver must complete and submit the relevant form.
