Stephen F. Austin State University College Portrait
Stephen F. Austin State University1936 North Street Nacogdoches, TX 75962
(936) 468-2011
Stephen F. Austin State University
Located in Nacogdoches among the towering pines of Texas Forest Country, the 412-acre campus of Stephen F. Austin State University has long been recognized for its beauty and scenic surroundings. Since SFA first held classes in 1923, it has grown into a nationally respected university offering more than 80 undergraduate degrees and 120 areas of study. The education and nursing programs are particularly strong, with students in these programs consistently earning the highest marks on Texas professional examinations. Fifteen programs of study receive accreditation from specialized accrediting agencies, making SFA the clear choice for students seeking both quality and value. Nearly 13,000 SFA students enjoy the best of both worlds—the breadth of a state university education and the personal attention of a private college.
Living in the Lumberjack Community
SFA offers all the academic opportunities and amenities of larger universities while preserving the feel of a tight-knit community. Programs like the Academic Advising Center, Academic Assistance and Resource Center and the Office of International Programs foster student success, and the School of Honors encourages students to work closely with professors and classmates to strengthen their intellectual and creative growth. Learning is extended beyond the classroom at facilities including the Science Research Center, the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center and an Early Childhood Research Center. More than 200 student organizations focus on academics, social activities and/or career goals. With 13 intercollegiate varsity sports and student activities from movies to intramurals, there is always something to do. A renovated student center opened in 2007 and includes a Barnes & Noble bookstore, food court and 383-seat movie theater. Our state-of-the-art recreation center features a climbing wall and lazy river. At SFA, the resources available to students are vast, and the possibilities are endless.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2011?
More Information
| Total Students | 12,903 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 11,368 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 7,131 | 63% |
| Men | 4,237 | 37% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 80 | 1% |
| Asian | 112 | 1% |
| African American / Black | 2,797 | 25% |
| Hispanic | 1,230 | 11% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 5 | <1% |
| White | 6,553 | 58% |
| Two or More Races | 77 | 1% |
| International | 88 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 426 | 4% |
| Where do SFA undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Texas | 98% |
| Other US States & Territories | 1% |
| Other Countries | 1% |
| How old are SFA undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 22 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 12% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2011)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 18 - 23 | |
| Math | 17 - 24 | 440 - 540 |
| English | 16 - 23 | |
| Critical Reading | 420 - 530 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 40% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 80% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 95% | |
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $21,166.00
Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend Stephen F. Austin State University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 54% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $5,905.00. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 3% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $3,952.00. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
SFA Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 21 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 57% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 87% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 459 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 48% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 8% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 71% |
Campus-based Housing
91% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
43% of all undergraduates live on campus
More Information
Campus Safety
Student safety is a top priority at SFA. A new outdoor alert system recently was installed to quickly notify SFA students of threatening weather or other on-campus dangers, should the need ever arise. In addition, a mobile text alert system has been installed to provide supplemental information about the emergency. The University Police Department is open 24/7 and provides patrol protection throughout campus. Students can use any of the numerous emergency call boxes to request information, an escort, vehicle assistance or other police response.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- Very high undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Doctoral, professional dominant
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at SFA
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 92% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 56% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 30% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 81% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 20% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 50% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 61% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 6% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 95% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 97% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 79% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 72% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 96% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 62% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 86% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 70% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 66% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 90% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 64% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 83% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 88% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 83% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 1,945 |
| Master's | 439 |
| Doctoral | 8 |
| Total | 2,392 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 15% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | 7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% |
| Marketing | 4% |
| Psychology, General | 4% |
| Links to degree programs at Stephen F. Austin State University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Future Plans of Bachelor's Degree Recipients
Survey Administration Process
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 76% four-year success and progress rate means that 76% of students starting in Fall 2005 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2005 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,996 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 757 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2010 that returned for their second year: 65%
Student Learning at Stephen F. Austin State University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Stephen F. Austin State University is committed to the continuous improvement of student learning through assessment. The general education core curriculum is assessed through a course based process using core objectives identified by the state of Texas.
Academic programs are assessed through objectives and methods identified by the faculty of each program. All objectives at the institution are directly tied to the institutions strategic plan and assessment of these objectives informs the institutional planning process.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2010 - 11 Results from the ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP)
The ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication and reports separate scores on critical thinking and written communication.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Critical Thinking Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 109
Senior Score: 110
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 20
Senior Score: 20
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 963
Senior Score: 953
Written Communication Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 113
Senior Score: 113
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 20
Senior Score: 20
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 963
Senior Score: 953