ATU vs. Blackburn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Blackburn College is in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Blackburn College 11:1.

ATU vs. Blackburn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Blackburn College? 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 Tech University than Blackburn College ($12,626 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 4.1% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,915 vs. $10,338).
• Blackburn College is 224.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $19,475 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.9% higher at Blackburn College than at Arkansas Tech University (about $13,481 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Arkansas Tech University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 96.5% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($19,456 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Blackburn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Blackburn College? 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 Blackburn College and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 20 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Blackburn College (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Blackburn College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 25.7% at Blackburn College.

ATU vs. Blackburn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Blackburn College? 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($183 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.