Arkansas State University
#2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,617 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,366 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $893,603.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Social mobility rate of 2.36% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 57%
- Patents
- 67
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 34
- Downstream influence
Why Arkansas State University Matters
Arkansas State University is a public research university in Jonesboro, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 9,110
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Arkansas State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 970–1190. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,366 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,617 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 20% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.22 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Arkansas State University serves over 9,100 students, with an acceptance rate of 82%. This high acceptance rate means that many students can find a place in higher education here, making it accessible for a diverse range of applicants.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $42,617 ten years post-graduation. While the graduation rate sits at 55%, data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights can help assess economic mobility for students, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. Although specific mobility metrics aren't available, the presence of a 38% Pell Grant rate indicates that a significant portion of students receive federal aid, suggesting a commitment to supporting those from economically challenged families.
Cost is another important factor for prospective students. The net price of attendance is $12,366, and graduates leave with a median debt of $20,500. Those who thrive at Arkansas State University often come from diverse backgrounds and are pursuing degrees in popular fields like Health Professions, Education, and Business. Students looking for a supportive environment and a clear path to employment may find their fit here.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Arkansas State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Arkansas State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Arkansas State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 970–1190
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,579
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 6,045
- Admitted
- 4,202
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Arkansas State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Arkansas State University is $14,522, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,098 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,090
- Out-of-State
- $14,522
- Avg Net Price
- $12,366
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,098
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,255
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,205
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,444
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Arkansas State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Arkansas State University report median earnings of $42,617, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,944
- 8 Years
- $40,605
- 10 Years
- $42,617
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (609)
- 37%
- 100% (609)
- 37%
- 100% (609)
- 37%
- 100% (609)
- 37%
How Arkansas Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Arkansas State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Arkansas State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,366/year ($49,464 total). Graduates earn $42,617 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $943,067 in total earnings — a net gain of $893,603 (19.1× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,464
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $943,067
- Net Return
- $893,603
- ROI Multiple
- 19.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,366
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Arkansas State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Arkansas State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.36%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.36%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 15.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $60,800
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Arkansas State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 67 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.38%
- Top 57% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 67
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 34
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.38%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Arkansas State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 37%
- Health Professions 19%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Psychology 7%
- Communications 4%
- Education 4%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Arkansas State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Arkansas State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Arkansas State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Arkansas State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Arkansas State University is $14,522, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,098 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Arkansas State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Arkansas State University report median earnings of $42,617, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Arkansas State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Arkansas State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.36%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Arkansas State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Arkansas State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Arkansas State University.
- Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH · Close peer52% grad $41,544 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN · Close peer56% grad $48,501 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN · Close peer52% grad $44,859 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Close peer48% grad $42,062 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · Close peer53% grad $45,938 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Arkansas State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Arkansas State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note