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The University of Arkansas (U of A) is a public land-grant research institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Founded in 1871, it is the flagship campus for the entire University of Arkansas System. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the university as having “the highest possible level of research,” placing it among the top three percent of higher education institutions in the nation.


Overview of University of Arkansas (U of A)


  • Main Campus
  • Downtown Campus
  • Hemisfair Campus
  • Park West Campus
  • Park West Campus

As one of the nation’s top public research universities, the University of Arkansas (U of A) embraces the ‘student-first’ philosophy. The institution is determined to build a better world by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive culture, nurturing creativity, and solving problems though research. It also strives to contribute service and expertise through outreach, engagement, and collaboration with the community and world at large. The school’s core values include curiosity, creativity, character, and shared humanity.

The student population is 29,068. Of those, 24,265 are pursuing undergraduate degrees. The University of Arkansas works hard to ensure a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes plenty of personal attention and mentoring opportunities. To better meet this goal, it employs 1,355 full-time and 243 part-time faculty members. The majority of these professionals provide instructional assistance, although 95 also conduct research and public service. This makes the overall student-to-faculty ratio 19:1. Notably, the institution also maintains 1,467 graduate assistants. Of these, 703 provide instructional support, while 764 perform research-related work.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting City: Small
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 19:1
Graduation Rate 70%
Year Founded 1871

Student Enrollment


Total Students29,068

Undergraduate
24,265
Graduate
4,803

Undergraduate Student

Male 10,677
10,677
Female 13,588
13,588

Graduate Student

Male 2,113
2,113
Female 2,690
2,690

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U of A Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS21,462

Male 8,507
Female 12,955

ACCEPTED17,813

Male 6,891
Female 10,882

Acceptance Rate83%

Male 81%
Female 84%

Enrollment 6,057

Male 2,550
Female 3,482
Admissions
Application Fee $40
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Considered But Not Required
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Considered But Not Required
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Considered But Not Required
Application Deadline August 1
Common Application Accepted Yes

U of A Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


The University of Arkansas charges students for tuition and mandatory fees based on a combination of per-hour and per-semester expenses. The amount paid is also dictated by student residency status.

Arkansas residents enrolled in 30 undergraduate credit hours can expect to pay approximately $9,656 in tuition per academic year. Non-residents, on the other hand, will owe $27,410 for the same course load. These estimates do not, however, include special fees which may be charged by individual schools and colleges. The law department, for example, charges a higher base tuition rate than other programs.

Notably, graduate students are charged at different rates. In-state students enrolled in 24 graduate credit hours can expect to pay approximately $12,088 in tuition per academic year. Out-of-state students will owe $30,148 for the same course load. Again, some departments charge higher rates than others. Rates are much higher for those enrolled in graduate business programs.

Prospective students should plan to pay for several expenses in addition to tuition. In most cases, it’s necessary to pay for associated school fees, books, housing, meals, transportation, and miscellaneous personal items. The University of Arkansas estimates that most enrolled individuals will need $1,100 for books and supplies. An additional $2,238 is likely necessary for transportation, as well as $2,938 per personal expenses. While students can live off campus, the institution does offer housing for an average rate of $7,968 per year. Meal plans can be purchased for about $4,400 per year.

The University of Arkansas encourages all applicants to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for aid. Notably, eligibility is also determined based on student enrollment and the term’s census dates. As a result, students must also enroll in and begin taking classes to finalize funding. The institution’s Academic Scholarship Office is also available to offer assistance. This department administers university-wide merit-based funding and serves as the central resource for prospective and current undergraduate students seeking financial assistance.

In addition to federal student aid, the University of Arkansas offers new freshmen and transfer student scholarships. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 81% of beginning students entering postsecondary education at the institution for the first time received some form of financial assistance. Most received some amount in grants and/or scholarships, but 40% still required student loans.

Average net price 2020-2021
Net Price $15,218
Average Total Aid $8,362
Students Receiving Financial Aid 81%
Room & Board $11,942

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $9,574
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $26,390
  • Books and Supplies - $1,100
  • Room & Board - $11,942
  • Other - $4,362

Popular Educational Academics at U of A


The University of Arkansas provides access to a comprehensive and internationally competitive public education that fosters student success across a wide spectrum of disciplines. As a campus that values discovery, attendees and staff alike learn, create, and collaborate while discovering what the future holds. Notably, the institution encourages undergraduate research in nearly every discipline. Faculty members also foster investigation and inquiry from graduate students.

Those enrolled can choose from more than 270 bachelor’s master’s, and doctoral degree programs offered in the following colleges, schools, and departments:

  • Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences
  • Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
  • J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
  • Sam M. Walton College of Business
  • College of Education and Health Professions
  • College of Engineering
  • Honors College
  • Global Campus
  • Graduate School of International Education
  • School of Law

It’s worth noting that the University of Arkansas offers flexible online programs to help balance family, work, and school responsibilities. Designed by the same academic departments, these options offer another path to earning higher education degrees. The institution’s distance learning programs are also affordable, as those enrolled pay in-state tuition. They also have access to the school’s support network and become part of a long-standing community of passionate learners.

As of fall 2021, the University of Arkansas had first-year, undergraduate retention rate of 87% for full-time students and 66% for part-time students. Notably, the national average is 68% for all higher education institutions. This indicates that the mass majority of full-time students enrolled at the university were happy enough with their experiences to return the following year.

The overall graduation rate for first-time students who began their studies in 2015 was 70%. Graduation rates demonstrate how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time, which is approximately six years. Most students strive to graduate within four years, however. Approximately 52% of full-time, first-time students who began their studies in 2015 were able to complete requirements within this timeframe.

The University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Some colleges and programs are also accredited by other agencies, associations, or professional organizations. Notable examples include the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Student Population Total


Student Population 29,068

Undergraduate
24,265
Graduate
4,803
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Business Majors 1,444 Total Graduates / 27%
Finance, General 354 Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 318 Graduates
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management 208 Graduates
Business Administration and Management, General 194 Graduates
Accounting 183 Graduates
All Engineering Majors 574 Total Graduates / 11%
Mechanical Engineering 138 Graduates
Civil Engineering, General 79 Graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 77 Graduates
Chemical Engineering 75 Graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering 75 Graduates
All Health Professions and Related Programs 515 Total Graduates / 10%
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 292 Graduates
Public Health, General 113 Graduates
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist 72 Graduates
Dietetics/Dietitian 38 Graduates
All Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 387 Total Graduates / 7%
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 252 Graduates
Journalism 135 Graduates
All Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology 268 Total Graduates / 5%
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 183 Graduates
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies 77 Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 8 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 40%

Outcome & Salary


The University of Arkansas compiles a Career Outcomes Report to provide insight into the post-graduation pursuits of recent university graduates. These annual reports constitute the only centralized placement data collection for the university and serve as a resource for career planning for current and prospective students.

There were 4,522 participants in the class of 2022 Career Outcomes Report. Of those, 2,848 were employed and 988 were enrolled in further education. An additional 51 joined the military or were participating in volunteer work. This leaves 598 graduates still looking for employment.

Respondents also provided salary information. The median salary for University of Arkansas graduates with bachelor’s degrees was $55,000. Master’s degree recipients were making a median salary of $62,000, while those with doctorates had a median salary of $69,000.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $57,300
College Grads Average Salary $70,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $104,900
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $700,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,749,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $60,872
10 Year Projected ROI $639,128
20 Year Projected ROI $1,688,128
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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