Stephen F. Austin State University Reviews

  • 24 Reviews
  • Nacogdoches (TX)
  • Annual Tuition: $21,616
93% of 24 students said this degree improved their career prospects
92% of 24 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

JP
  • Reviewed: 5/18/2022
  • Degree: Nursing
"The program I'm in is great. The instructors are knowledgeable and have a vested interest in their students' success. The prerequisites and academic requirements are fair and attainable. Where Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) really falls flat is with their business office. Twice during my enrollment with SFASU, the business office has put me at risk of financial compromise through clerical as a result from their absolute ineptitude. The first error was the result of a misunderstanding with my VA benefits that left me with an outstanding balance greater than $5,000. The business office was so kind as to rectify their error through a repayment agreement in which I would pay $100 a month until graduation. What they failed to mention was that $200 from every student loan disbursement I would receive from them on - the money I use to pay my mortgage and living expenses, as well as tuition and education materials - would be withheld and applied to the outstanding balance outlined in the repayment agreement. Granted, a few hundred dollars here and there is small potatoes compared to the overall cost of tuition, but the business office taking every opportunity to rob students of the funds they need to not just complete their education but to stay alive is a sad indication of the value the university places in its students. The second error is far more egregious. I applied for a private loan to complete my final semester with SFASU, a summer semester. I was initially informed before the start of the summer semester that my total loan amount would be $10,390 disbursed in two separate payments. I budgeted the next several months around this figure, planning to complete the summer semester, finish my boards, and seek gainful employment while still being able to pay my mortgage, living expenses, and the fees necessary to take the aforementioned boards. Tonight, I received an email from the loan agency that my university (SFASU) had requested a reduction in my loan amount from $10,390 to $5,195. It would seem that the business office has reduced my budget for the next several months by half. TL;DR: The education aspect of SFASU is great, but the administration is absolute trash."
Alyssa Laughlin
  • Reviewed: 2/22/2020
  • Degree: Teaching
"I love the campus, and everyone is super friendly and helpful. The school's layout is super organized, and everything is pretty easy to find. I enjoyed talking with the representatives at the booths. The location of the restrooms need to be better designated. All in all it was a terrific day."
Christina Adaway
  • Reviewed: 3/14/2019
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I started the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Stephen F. Austin State University in August 2013 and graduated with honors in December 2016. I highly recommend this program and I am very honor to have completed my undergraduate studies at this university. This program is very directed towards transitioning from undergraduate to graduate school. The program does not heavily address working as an assistant. However, the ultimate goal is to excel to become a fully licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Unfortunately, I will be unable to complete my graduate studies within this program because you dedicate your full-time to this program and are unable to successfully maintain a job while attending. That was not applicable to me and my family. This program provides excellent hands-on experience working with the local Head Start facility and having their own speech and hearing clinic on campus within the building. As an undergraduate, you are required to watch therapy sessions provided by the graduate clinicians through a one-way mirror. You are to create an observation log and are able to apply those hours to the required observation hours needed to be able to receive your assistant license. During your last semester of the program, you are in the clinic room with the graduate assistant and provide therapy for half a semester. You learn hands-on experience on how to write treatment plans, create therapy materials, and how to effectively take data. Overall, attending this program has prepared me to become an effective clinician in the future. I cannot wait to apply my undergraduate knowledge with my real world experience to my graduate coursework in May. Stephen F. Austin State University is an excellent program and is located in the heart of Texas. Thank you and Axe em."
Regina Smith
  • Reviewed: 10/27/2018
  • Degree: Social Work
"I have enjoyed my time at SFA, it is a small school vibe but you have the opportunity to receive all the knowledge you would at a bigger university. I am so bless to be a party of a cohort program that allows me to attend school and work as well. the program is designed for those who want to receive a degree but don't live close to the main campus. The instructors appear to be genuine and helpful"
Jazmine Ford
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2018
  • Degree: Public Relations
"I really enjoyed this school. The communications department is extremely small but that makes it better. You get to know your professors on a more personal level. The only bad thing about them is there are very limited opportunities for internships and work available at Stephen F. Austin in the communications department."
Rebecca
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Accounting
"An excellent place to learn with professors that care."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Communications
"Very pretty campus, small-town atmosphere. Faculty and staff incredibly supportive."
Ruth Roberts
  • Reviewed: 6/26/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"SFASU was a wonderful place to receive an Master's Degree. I learned a lot and had the opportunity to meet some wonderful students and professors. I would recommend this University to other's due to the professors and the people that are associated with this university. They have developed a really great practicum and internship program that the students can do on campus to help get their hours for Counseling."
Teresa Kaye Powell
  • Reviewed: 3/29/2017
  • Degree: Music
"Stephen F Austin State University is an idyllic campus with diverse world class programs and an exceedingly qualified faculty. The School of Music curriculum is challenging and meets all criteria for preparation towards career opportunities or educational advancement. All staff members are deeply committed to the student's success. Located in a scenic and friendly environment, this college is an excellent choice on all counts."
Lorraine
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2017
  • Degree: Spanish
"Although it is a very beautiful campus, there aren't enough things to do around! (So keep that in mind) It's in a small town so everything comes as first come basis. Financial Aid is horrible, they don't have enough for everyone so like I said the first ones are the ones who will get the most opportunities. Overall most people are nice, although since it's a small town there is a little racism (even though they'll deny it). I had a good experience, but I just wished there were more financial help opportunities for students."
Lacy L.
  • Reviewed: 2/1/2017
  • Degree: Teaching
"SFASU is a great university with lots of pride and tradition. If you want to be apart of a university where you feel like you know a lot of people, this is the university for you. The professors are very helpful and are willing to help you with whatever you bring to them. Not many universities can say that."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Public Administration
"It was a great smaller school. I was able to commute and it was worth finishing my degree at."
Kimberli Crane
  • Reviewed: 9/15/2016
  • Degree: Biology
"Stephen F. Austin was a great place to study. The campus is beautiful and not overwhelming in size. This creates opportunities for any student to actually get to know other students and have a personal connection with your professors to really excel in your specialized field."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2015
  • Degree: Animal Science
"I had a choice between 6 different Texas schools to get my Animal Science degree from. And I am not sure I made the right choice with SFA. I had a lot of fun, and there was a lot of goofing off, but I'm not sure how much I really learned. If I could go back I would probably choose a different school. Unless you are going for poultry science, in which case they have a great program."
Ryan Jacques
  • Reviewed: 8/31/2015
  • Degree: Environmental Science
"Stephen F. Austin State University has a small town feel but provides a big time education with in the college of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. They have sufficient equipment and technology to aid students in their research and academics. Where the school lacks is the ability to network with outside resources because of the distance Nacogdoches is from the larger cities in the area, but they do try to get students to meet professionals within the field by helping students participate in regional conferences and outings."
Joshua
  • Reviewed: 8/4/2015
  • Degree: Marketing
"I can only speak highly of the business department. I found my degree plan to academically rigorous, but with instructors that were more than willing to be of any assistance. I enjoyed the classes I had to take for my degree, and I found the assignments and projects practical and interesting. The campus was always improving, and there is quite an active social calendar for the student body."
Joshua
  • Reviewed: 8/4/2015
  • Degree: Marketing
"I can only speak highly of the business department. I found my degree plan to academically rigorous, but with instructors that were more than willing to be of any assistance. I enjoyed the classes I had to take for my degree, and I found the assignments and projects practical and interesting. The campus was always improving, and there is quite an active social calendar for the student body."
Robin Murphy
  • Reviewed: 9/10/2014
  • Degree: Business
"I believe the graduate program overall is an excellent program. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Also, the classes are informative and well-related to the working world."
Yana Iman
  • Reviewed: 9/10/2014
  • Degree: Political Science
"The field and teachers were great, but I didn't feel that they provided the accurate skills that would prepare me for law school. Maybe it was because I am graduating a year early so I didn't have as much time as others but I am not at all prepared to take the LSAT"
J. B. Parish
  • Reviewed: 8/5/2014
  • Degree: Business
"I really enjoyed attending SFA. I enjoyed meeting my classmates. My classmates are from all parts of the country and it is fun learning from them about where they are from. It makes the world a little smaller. I found that the teachers, excuse me, professors are knowledgeable about their fields. For example, my criminal justice professors were former police officers and/or prosecutors. They been there done that so to speak and always have an open door police with their offices, so if you have any questions or problems, your professors are there to help/advise you. Of course, good communication with them is key. This part, the open door policy, was great for me. I am a returning student and an older student. I started originally at a different college in the mid 1970's. So the help from the professors was very beneficial."