Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Colleges / AR / El Dorado
South Arkansas College logo
Public El Dorado, AR · Town · Southeast · 87% data
A- Affordability B+ Value C+ Diversity
28%
F
Graduation Rate
Lower completion rate than most colleges
$34,521
D+
Earnings (10yr)
Below average for college graduates
$7,486
A-
Net Price
56% less than the typical college
862
Enrollment
Earnings -15% vs avg
Graduation -51% vs avg
Net Price +-56% vs avg

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.

26.9× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $26.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $776,505.

AD Powered by BestColleges

Quick Degree Finder

Find an Accredited Program

Accepting applicants in this field now.

Results are sponsored program matches from BestColleges, our advertising partner. Privacy Terms

What The Data Says

1

A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

2

Graduation of 28% — 51% below the national average.

3

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, Mechanic & Repair Tech

Why students choose South Arkansas College

Outstanding value
Low net price against strong graduate earnings
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 47% overall
D+
Earnings
$34,521 median
B+
Value
4.6× net price
A-
Affordability
$7,486/yr net
F
Graduation
28% graduate
C+
Diversity
0.61 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

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

1

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.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

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 school reports a graduation rate of 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%
2

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

When weighing the true cost of attending South Arkansas College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $5,532 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $7,486 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,690 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $11,153.

$3,324
In-State Tuition
$5,532
Out-of-State
$7,486
Avg Net Price
$11,153
Median Debt
41%
Pell Grant Rate
17%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$6,690
Family Income $0–$30K
$6,041
Family Income $30K–$48K
$8,640
Family Income $48K–$75K
$12,932
Family Income $110K+
3

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

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; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

$30,240
6 Years After Entry
$32,330
8 Years
$34,521
10 Years
0.32x
Debt-to-Earnings
48%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$30,240 6yr $32,330 8yr $34,521 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

17%
100% (28)
17%
100% (28)
17%
100% (28)
17%
100% (28)

How South Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation28%Earnings 10yr$35KNet Price$7KRetention57%Median Debt$11KPell Grant Rate41%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$7K$0-30K$6K$30-48K$9K$48-75K$13K$110K+

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.

$29,944
Total Cost (4yr)
$806,449
Projected 20yr Earnings
$776,505
Net Return
26.9×
ROI Multiple
$7,486
Cost Per Year
$11,153
Median Debt
Less than 1 yr
Debt Payback
28%
Graduation Rate
4

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

$3,982,965
Endowment
Total Expenses
$1,367,940
Federal Grants
$73,293
Investment Income

Top Programs

The fields South Arkansas College 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.

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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 28%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Arkansas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +

When weighing the true cost of attending South Arkansas College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $5,532 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $7,486 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,690 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $11,153.

Is South Arkansas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +

Ten years out, alumni of South Arkansas College report median earnings of $34,521; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Arkansas College.

Featured Founding members · limited to 12
The American Dream College Index →

Ten colleges. Unlimited leads through your profile. A custom review families read at the decision point — for $2,500/year.

12 of 12 founding spots open · held for 12 months · See how it works