South Arkansas College
#10 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,521 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $7,486 A-
- 56% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 862
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.9 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $26.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $776,505.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 28% — 51% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $26.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About South Arkansas College
South Arkansas College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 862
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Precision Production, Humanities, Criminal Justice
Why students choose South Arkansas College
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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $7,486 a year after grants and scholarships — 56% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,521 ten years after enrolling — 15% below the typical college, against $11,153 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
South Arkansas College has a net price of $7,486, making it an accessible option for students seeking affordable education. With an enrollment of just 862, students can expect a more personalized learning environment. This focus on small class sizes can enhance student engagement and support.
The school's graduation rate stands at 28%, indicating challenges in student completion. While the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for mobility, the earnings potential is noteworthy. Graduates earn a median of $34,521 ten years after enrollment, which shows a reasonable return on investment for those who complete their programs.
Students here thrive in practical fields such as Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Education. With 41% of students receiving Pell Grants, South Arkansas College serves many low-income students. The median debt for graduates is $11,153, which suggests that financial burdens remain manageable for many.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Arkansas College 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 South Arkansas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in El Dorado, Arkansas, South Arkansas College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,098
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 54%
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 South Arkansas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Arkansas College is $5,532, 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 $7,486. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,690 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,153 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $3,324
- Out-of-State
- $5,532
- Avg Net Price
- $7,486
- Median Debt
- $11,153
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,690
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,041
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,640
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,932
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at South Arkansas College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is South Arkansas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Arkansas College report median earnings of $34,521, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $30,240
- 8 Years
- $32,330
- 10 Years
- $34,521
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 48%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (28)
- 17%
- 100% (28)
- 17%
- 100% (28)
- 17%
- 100% (28)
- 17%
How South Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is South Arkansas College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Arkansas College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,486/year ($29,944 total). Graduates earn $34,521 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $806,449 in total earnings — a net gain of $776,505 (26.9× your investment). The median debt is $11,153, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $29,944
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $806,449
- Net Return
- $776,505
- ROI Multiple
- 26.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,486
- Median Debt
- $11,153
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $3,982,965
- Federal Grants
- $1,367,940
- Investment Income
- $73,293
Top Programs
The fields South Arkansas College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 63% $54,296 early-career
- Precision Production 12%
- Humanities 10%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Education 3%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 2%
- Business & Marketing 1%
- Visual & Performing Arts 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for South Arkansas College'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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Arkansas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in El Dorado, Arkansas, South Arkansas College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Arkansas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Arkansas College is $5,532, 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 $7,486. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,690 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,153 in federal student loans.
Is South Arkansas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Arkansas College report median earnings of $34,521, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Arkansas College.
- Northeastern Technical CollegeCheraw, SC · Close peer29% grad $32,141 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arkansas State University-Mountain HomeMountain Home, AR · Close peer47% grad $34,238 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Black River Technical CollegePocahontas, AR · Close peer43% grad $34,818 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Arkansas Northeastern CollegeBlytheville, AR · Close peer34% grad $33,169 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Coffeyville Community CollegeCoffeyville, KS · Close peer40% grad $35,246 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Klamath Community CollegeKlamath Falls, OR · Close peer39% grad $34,357 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
