University of Arkansas
#1 Best Business Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,191 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,209 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 74% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $19.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,334,817.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.35% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #501-600
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 17/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Arkansas Matters
University of Arkansas is a public research university in Fayetteville, AR ranked #501-600 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 28,677
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications
Why students choose University of Arkansas
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
Competitive — admits about 74% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1030–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,209 a year after grants and scholarships — 6% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,191 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 20% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.60 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nearly 29,000 students call the University of Arkansas home, making it a vibrant hub for academic and social life. With a 74% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse array of prospective students, eager to find their niche in a dynamic environment.
The data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights shows that the economic mobility rate is not available, but the university’s graduation rate stands at a solid 70%. Graduates earn an impressive median salary of $58,191 after ten years, indicating a strong return on investment for their education. This suggests that while some students may start in the bottom 20% of income, many find pathways to upward mobility.
With a net price of $18,209 and median debt of $21,500, the University of Arkansas offers a reasonably priced education. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Business, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications, or Biology. The diverse programs cater to a wide range of interests and career goals, ensuring that students find their passion and succeed in their chosen fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, University of Arkansas admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,169. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1169
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1030–1220
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 82%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,657
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 26,219
- Admitted
- 20,695
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 University of Arkansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Arkansas is $29,966, 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 $18,209. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,319 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,104
- Out-of-State
- $29,966
- Avg Net Price
- $18,209
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,319
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,322
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,934
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,470
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Arkansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Arkansas earn a median of $58,191, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,686
- 8 Years
- $54,333
- 10 Years
- $58,191
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,275)
- 50%
- 100% (2,275)
- 50%
- 100% (2,275)
- 50%
- 100% (2,275)
- 50%
How University 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 University of Arkansas Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Arkansas delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,209/year ($72,836 total). Graduates earn $58,191 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,407,653 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,334,817 (19.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $72,836
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,407,653
- Net Return
- $1,334,817
- ROI Multiple
- 19.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,209
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
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 University of Arkansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Arkansas 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 2.35%, among the highest in the country. About 7.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.35%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 32.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $93,400
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 17/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 30/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 37/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-24,940,333
Top Programs
The fields University of Arkansas 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.
- Business & Marketing 30%
- Health Professions 10%
- Engineering 7%
- Communications 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Psychology 5%
- Social Sciences 4%
- Education 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Arkansas'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
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Arkansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, University of Arkansas admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,169. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Arkansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Arkansas is $29,966, 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 $18,209. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,319 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Arkansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Arkansas earn a median of $58,191, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Arkansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Arkansas 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 2.35%, among the highest in the country. About 7.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Arkansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Arkansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, 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.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Arkansas? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Arkansas at #501-600 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 17/100, teaching at 26/100, and citation impact of 30/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Compare University of Arkansas
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Arkansas.
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA · Close peer70% grad $61,251 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK · Close peer67% grad $57,413 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · Close peer74% grad $59,221 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR · Close peer70% grad $64,010 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Close peer68% grad $57,289 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX · Close peer68% grad $62,454 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Arkansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Arkansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, 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