7 | Campus Hard News

 

SAU sees positive enrollment trends amid changing higher education landscape

SAU Website

Southern Arkansas University enters the fall 2026 semester with encouraging and positive momentum within several areas, after the impact of decline in international student enrollment. 

Freshmen enrollment grew 2.9% this fall. Domestic undergraduate overall was held steady. 

Although graduate international enrollment has declined 92.3% since 2022, which has led to the new diversity of graduate offerings and new pathways and opportunities for students. The Educational Examiner certificate saw a 93.8% increase and enrollment this fall. 

These positive attributes in growth come amid the significant nationwide decline in international student enrollment. SAU's enrollment fell from 227 international students to 74 this fall semester. According to the projections from NAFSA, the analysis for the 2026-2027 school year predicts as many as 111,000 fewer international students nationwide. 

"We are encouraged by the growth we are seeing among our incoming freshmen and in several of our graduate programs," said President of SAU Dr. Bruno Hicks.

SAU will not stop with improvement here, the university will continue to strengthen recruitment, improve and create relationships with concurrent-enrollment partners, and expand workforce relevant academic opportunities to reach new student population. 

"We are continuing to look for new ways to meet students where they are. Expanding flexible academic pathways and strengthening partnerships with industries to allow us to create new opportunities while supporting the workforce needs of our region and state." said Dr. Bruno Hicks