Southern Arkansas University Tech
#6 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,376 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $9,018 B+
- 47% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 672
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Online Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $814,564.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Social mobility rate of 2.94% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Arkansas University Tech Matters
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public college in Camden, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder and low net price paired with solid completion. 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 672
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Computer Science & IT, Humanities
Why students choose Southern Arkansas University Tech
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 $9,018 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,376 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $6,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 11% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Arkansas University Tech has a net price of just $9,018, making it an accessible option for many students. This low cost allows students to focus on their education without the burden of overwhelming debt. With a median debt of only $6,000, graduates can enter the workforce with a manageable financial load.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a 10-year earning average of $36,376. This figure suggests that students can expect a reasonable return on their investment in education. While specific mobility rates are not available, the combination of affordable education and solid earning outcomes indicates that students from varying economic backgrounds can find a pathway to success here.
Students who thrive at Southern Arkansas University Tech often pursue degrees in Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. The supportive environment and focused programs cater to those looking to enter practical fields with strong job prospects. With a graduation rate of 62%, students are likely to find the support they need to complete their studies and launch their careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Arkansas University Tech 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 Southern Arkansas University Tech? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Camden, Arkansas, Southern Arkansas University Tech enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,513
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 52%
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 Southern Arkansas University Tech? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Arkansas University Tech is $6,480, 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 $9,018. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,848 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,040
- Out-of-State
- $6,480
- Avg Net Price
- $9,018
- Median Debt
- $6,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 10%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,848
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,208
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,633
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,294
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Arkansas University Tech report median earnings of $36,376, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,841
- 8 Years
- $34,767
- 10 Years
- $36,376
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.16x
- Earning > $25K
- 43%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (72)
- 44%
- 100% (72)
- 44%
- 100% (72)
- 44%
- 100% (72)
- 44%
How Southern 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 Southern Arkansas University Tech Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Arkansas University Tech delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,018/year ($36,072 total). Graduates earn $36,376 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $850,636 in total earnings — a net gain of $814,564 (23.6× your investment). The median debt is $6,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,072
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $850,636
- Net Return
- $814,564
- ROI Multiple
- 23.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,018
- Median Debt
- $6,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
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 Southern Arkansas University Tech Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Arkansas University Tech 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 2.94%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 17.6% 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 16.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.94%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 17.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $60,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,151,663
- Federal Grants
- $2,263,620
- Investment Income
- $13,530
Top Programs
The fields Southern Arkansas University Tech 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.
- Health Professions 29%
- Criminal Justice 20%
- Computer Science & IT 12%
- Humanities 7%
- Precision Production 6%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 5%
- Business & Marketing 3%
- Education 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Arkansas University Tech'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Arkansas University Tech? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Camden, Arkansas, Southern Arkansas University Tech enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Arkansas University Tech? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Arkansas University Tech is $6,480, 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 $9,018. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,848 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,000 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Arkansas University Tech report median earnings of $36,376, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southern Arkansas University Tech Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Arkansas University Tech 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 2.94%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 17.6% 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 16.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $60,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Arkansas University Tech? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Southern Arkansas University Tech. Its economic connectedness score is 0.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Arkansas University Tech.
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology NorthwestNewbern, TN · Close peer67% grad $38,514 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas Community College-BatesvilleBatesville, AR · Close peer60% grad $33,706 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas Hope-TexarkanaHope, AR · Close peer53% grad $34,162 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- First Coast Technical CollegeSaint Augustine, FL · Close peer77% grad $33,784 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Southeastern Illinois CollegeHarrisburg, IL · Close peer53% grad $33,763 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pickens Technical CollegeAurora, CO · Close peer68% grad $39,210 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Arkansas University Tech? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Southern Arkansas University Tech. Its economic connectedness score is 0.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note