Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University

Should I go to University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas or Arkansas State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University Main Campus comparison
University of Arkansas Arkansas State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Arkansas Arkansas State University Main Campus
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Overview

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Location Fayetteville, AR Jonesboro, AR
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 30,936 13,190
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #859
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uark.edu astate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Tuition (In State) $7,666 $6,888
Tuition (Out of State) $25,420 $12,744
Room & Board $12,368 $10,100
Avg Net Price $16,208 $12,011
Avg Grant Aid $8,474 $11,225
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 100%

Admission

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 26,219 6,045
Admitted 20,695 4,202
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 69.5%
Enrolled % 34.3% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.66
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1220 980/1200
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 1, 2025

Academics

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Graduation Rate 59% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $201

Diversity

Arkansas Arkansas State University
% Men 44% 35%
% Women 56% 65%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 74%
% Black 5% 14%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Arkansas Arkansas State University
% In-State 39% 81%
% Out-of-State 60% 12%

Campus

Arkansas Arkansas State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Arkansas is larger than than Arkansas State University based on total student enrollment (30,936 students vs. 13,190 students)

Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or Arkansas State University?

  • University of Arkansas is 11.3% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($7,666.00 vs. $6,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 99.5% higher at Arkansas than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($25,420.00 vs. $12,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Arkansas ($12,011 vs. $16,208)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 22.5% lower than costs at University of Arkansas ($10,100 vs. $12,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than University of Arkansas (100% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 32.5% larger than aid received University of Arkansas ($11,225 vs. $8,474)

Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or Arkansas State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Arkansas State University or Arkansas .

  • The average SAT score at University of Arkansas (1154) is 66 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1088)
  • Incoming Arkansas students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Arkansas State University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Arkansas State University (3.66)
  • Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas or Arkansas State University? 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 Arkansas State University and Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Arkansas is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (59% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Arkansas earn on average $14,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Arkansas graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Arkansas graduates. ($201 vs. $222)
  • More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/