Arkansas State University vs. ATU

Deciding between Arkansas State University and Arkansas Tech University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Arkansas State University
Arkansas Tech University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR
  • ATU Russellville, AR
  • Setting
  • Arkansas State University Small City
  • ATU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Arkansas State University 15,726
  • ATU 8,746
  • Type
  • Arkansas State University Public 4 Year
  • ATU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Arkansas State University #932
  • ATU #960
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Arkansas State University -
  • ATU -
  • Status
  • Arkansas State University Non-profit
  • ATU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Arkansas State University
  • ATU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Arkansas State University $8,090
  • ATU $8,674
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Arkansas State University $14,522
  • ATU $14,668
  • Room & Board
  • Arkansas State University $11,550
  • ATU $10,338
  • Average Net Price
  • Arkansas State University $12,410
  • ATU $12,626
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Arkansas State University $13,395
  • ATU $9,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Arkansas State University 97%
  • ATU 93%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Arkansas State University 12,252
  • ATU 3,654
  • Admitted
  • Arkansas State University 10,078
  • ATU 3,504
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Arkansas State University 82.3%
  • ATU 95.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Arkansas State University 19.5%
  • ATU 33.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Arkansas State University 1080
  • ATU 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Arkansas State University 21
  • ATU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Arkansas State University 3.66
  • ATU 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Arkansas State University A-
  • ATU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Arkansas State University Easy
  • ATU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Arkansas State University
  • ATU
  • ACT Range
  • Arkansas State University 18/24
  • ATU 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • Arkansas State University 970/1190
  • ATU 880/1100
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Arkansas State University Test optional
  • ATU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Arkansas State University
  • ATU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Arkansas State University 17:1
  • ATU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Arkansas State University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Social Sciences (4%)
  • ATU
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Arkansas State University 38%
  • ATU 43%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Arkansas State University $36,000
  • ATU $37,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Arkansas State University 51%
  • ATU 51%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Arkansas State University $19,500
  • ATU $17,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Arkansas State University $201
  • ATU $183
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Arkansas State University 34%
  • ATU 42%
  • % Women
  • Arkansas State University 66%
  • ATU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Arkansas State University Low
  • ATU Low
  • HBCU
  • Arkansas State University No
  • ATU No
  • % White
  • Arkansas State University 74%
  • ATU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Arkansas State University 1%
  • ATU 1%
  • % Black
  • Arkansas State University 14%
  • ATU 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Arkansas State University 2%
  • ATU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Arkansas State University 0%
  • ATU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Arkansas State University 0%
  • ATU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Arkansas State University 2%
  • ATU 3%
  • % International
  • Arkansas State University 6%
  • ATU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Arkansas State University 1%
  • ATU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Arkansas State University 70%
  • ATU 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Arkansas State University 14%
  • ATU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ATU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Arkansas State University No
  • ATU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ATU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ATU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ATU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Arkansas Tech University is in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting).
  • Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Arkansas Tech University 17:1.

Arkansas State University vs. ATU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or ATU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University than ATU ($12,410 vs. $12,626).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 10.5% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,338 vs. $11,550).
  • Arkansas Tech University is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $584 more per year; $8,674.00 vs. $8,090.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at ATU than at Arkansas State University (about $146 more per year; $14,668.00 vs. $14,522.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at Arkansas Tech University (97% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 35.3% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($13,395 vs. $9,901).

Arkansas State University vs. ATU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or ATU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ATU and Arkansas State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 90 points higher than at ATU (990).
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; ATU - Required.
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ATU (3.37).
  • ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Arkansas State University (82.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 33.6% at ATU.

Arkansas State University vs. ATU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and ATU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
  • Graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Arkansas State University graduates ($17,750 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas State University graduates ($183 vs. $201).
  • More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.