Overview
Southern Arkansas University offers personalized tour visits, faculty and staff who invest in student success, and a caring campus community. SAU also offers traditional and unique academic degree programs that are ranked nationally for quality and affordability.
Nestled in a quiet and beautiful part of south Arkansas, SAU is a great place to call home and to study a broad range of academic programs, including some unique offerings to the state and region. Along with boasting a complete college experience on campus, the University is a short drive from outdoor activities and is central to many regional hubs, such as Texarkana, Shreveport, Little Rock, etc.
Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and continues to grow, both on campus and online, with more than 80 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.
Academics
As workforce demands and industry trends evolve, Southern Arkansas University remains committed to aligning academic programs with real-world opportunities that prepare students for their Next Step.
A leader in healthcare education, SAU offers a diverse range of programs including nursing, pre-professional health tracks, clinical laboratory science, exercise science, social work, public health, and healthcare administration. These programs provide students with both foundational knowledge and practical experience to meet growing healthcare needs.
The AACSB-accredited Rankin College of Business equips students with the skills to thrive in today’s competitive market. New offerings include a Risk Management and Insurance track within the Finance major, and a Master of Science in Business Analytics—preparing graduates for data-driven decision-making in all industries.
SAU offers Arkansas’s most affordable and comprehensive BFA in Musical Theatre, delivering 70 to 80 hours of immersive, hands-on training. Students gain real-world experience that translates directly to careers on stage and behind the scenes.
Our engineering program is powered by strong industry partnerships. Students benefit from internships and direct pathways to high-paying jobs. SAU is also building expertise in the emerging lithium industry, providing students with future-focused opportunities in energy and manufacturing.
SAU’s Rider Residency Program is Arkansas’s first paid, year-long teacher residency. This innovative program ensures teacher candidates are classroom-ready from day one, with deep experience in real K–12 settings.
The School of Graduate Studies offers flexible, fully online or hybrid graduate programs designed for working professionals. Programs such as the MBA, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Science in Computer and Information Science support career growth. SAU proudly celebrated the graduation of its first doctoral cohort in Spring 2025.
With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, SAU maintains a personalized, student-focused learning environment. Faculty know students by name and provide meaningful support every step of the way.
Ready to take your Next Step?
Come see what SAU has to offer. Schedule a campus visit or apply today at www.saumag.edu.
Campus Life
The list of opportunities available outside of the classroom at SAU is as broad and diverse as the list of degree programs. While earning a degree at SAU, students can find a niche to match any interest through more than 60 student organizations.
Through the Living Learning Communities program, SAU even offers students the unique experience of living with others who share similar interests. Because of the record enrollments, including campus living, SAU has recently constructed multiple new residence halls to add to a growing list of housing options.
Entertainment flavors the campus experience throughout the year as SAU offers professional entertainment, concerts, plays, movies, lectures, workshops and intramural sports to round out the complete college experience.
For die-hard sports fans and athletes, Mulerider Athletics is a competitive member of the NCAA Division II and part of the Great American Conference. Men’s teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, tennis, track, and golf. Women’s teams compete in volleyball, basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track, and golf.
SAU also boasts teams and club sports beyond NCAA recognized sports, including Rodeo, eSports, Disc Golf, Soccer, Fishing, Trapshooting, and more. The SAU Rodeo Team is nationally competitive and consistently ranks high in regional and national intercollegiate competitions.
Facilities
Building on a strong foundation, SAU continues to grow with new construction updating the landscape of SAU’s beautiful campus. Three new residence halls house 264-students on a scenic hillside opposite the new track facility. Just up the walking path is the new softball complex. Still feeling new to campus are the state-of-the-art Agriculture Center and Story Rodeo Arena.
These new buildings, along with the Mulerider Activity Center, add to the repertoire of new facilities that enhance the Magnolia campus. These include the 60,000-square-foot SAU Science Center, the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center, baseball’s Walker Stadium, Mulerider Athletics’ Ribble Weight Training Center, and the expansion of the Wharton Nursing Building.
The Bruce Center is home to Chick-fil-A, Subway and Tacos 4 Life, as well as a room equipped with computers, wide-screen TVs and lounging areas. The academic heart of any university is its library. Magale Library provides access to more than 152,000 books, 75 databases, more than 12,000 full-text publications and cozy, quiet study rooms and comfortable seating areas.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is able to assist most students in finding financial assistance for their education. SAU also offers a number of scholarship opportunities.
Academic scholarships include the Presidential Scholarship, the Foundation Scholarship, the Alumni Scholarship, the Community College Scholarship, the Achievement Award, and the Leadership Award. Performance scholarships are available in art, band, choir and theater. Other scholarships are available in athletics and rodeo. Now is the time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The deadline for financial aid priority filing is June 1.
History
Southern Arkansas University (SAU), a comprehensive regional public university, was founded in 1909 as the Third District Agricultural School (TDAS). The school was later elevated to a junior college, Magnolia A&M, in 1925, and a four-year college, Southern State College, in 1951. Renamed Southern Arkansas University in 1976, the University has grown to host over 4,000 students, serving as an educational cornerstone of the Magnolia community and Southwest Arkansas.
Curious about the history of one of the nation’s most unique mascots, the Mulerider? Learn more about SAU’s history through illustrated stories as told by the University Archives.
Mission & Vision
Vision
To develop tomorrow’s leaders through the transformative impact of education, scholarship, and service.
Mission
Southern Arkansas University provides individuals with opportunities for intellectual growth, personal enrichment, skills development, and meaningful career preparation by fostering an environment conducive to excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, creative endeavors, and service.
Core Values
SAU believes…
- That education leads to productive and fulfilling lives
- That education supports the value of all individuals
- That education is the foundation of a free and democratic society
- That education creates an informed and participatory citizenry
- That education and scholarship contribute to the advancement of knowledge
