Arkansas vs. ATU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Arkansas Tech University is in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Arkansas Tech University 17:1.

Arkansas vs. ATU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Tech University than Arkansas ($12,626 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 27.4% lower than at University of Arkansas ($10,338 vs. $14,244).
• University of Arkansas is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $1,430 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.3% higher at Arkansas than at Arkansas Tech University (about $15,298 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at University of Arkansas (93% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($9,901 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. ATU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 140 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; ATU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 33.6% at ATU.

Arkansas vs. ATU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($183 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.