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UAFS University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Arkansas Arkansas State University Central UALR UNO EIU Henderson State University Ozarks| Arkansas Tech University | Sterling College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
ATU | SC | ||
| Location | Russellville, AR | Sterling, KS | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,445 | 706 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #927 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | atu.edu | sterling.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ATU | SC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,820 | $28,500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,640 | $28,500 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,157 | $9,336 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,016 | $22,680 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,440 | $19,729 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 100% |
Admission |
ATU | SC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,762 | 1,959 | ||
| Admitted | 5,439 | 1,197 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.4% | 61.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 26.7% | 13.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.37 | 3.46 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 990/1180 | 938/1123 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 17, 2025 |
Academics |
ATU | SC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 9:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
ATU | SC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 48% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,100 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,750 | $24,663 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $183 | $255 |
Diversity |
ATU | SC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 42% | 59% | ||
| % Women | 58% | 41% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 15% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 0% | ||
| % International | 4% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 3% |
Students |
ATU | SC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 37% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 53% | ||
Campus |
ATU | SC | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Arkansas Tech University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (9,445 students vs. 706 students)
ATU vs. SC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ATU or SC?
- Sterling College is 389.7% more expensive to attend than ATU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $5,820.00)
- Out of state tuition is 144.8% higher at SC than Arkansas Tech University ($28,500.00 vs. $11,640.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than SC ($12,016 vs. $22,680)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 2% lower than costs at Sterling College ($9,157 vs. $9,336)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Arkansas Tech University (100% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 133.8% larger than aid received Arkansas Tech University ($19,729 vs. $8,440)
ATU vs. SC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ATU or SC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SC or ATU .
- Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ATU (3.37)
- ATU has a higher acceptance rate (94.4%) than SC (61.1%)
ATU vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ATU or SC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SC and ATU.
- The graduation rate at SC is higher than Arkansas Tech University (48% vs. 43%)
- Graduates from Sterling College earn on average $300 more per year than ATU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $37,100)
- Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a $6,913 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($17,750 vs. $24,663)
- ATU graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($183 vs. $255)
- More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/