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Arkansas State University
Most applicants get into Arkansas State University — 82.3% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Arkansas State University sits in Jonesboro proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 10.1% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, where graduates median $98,691 four years out. Faculty pay averages $90,948 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 9,110 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 78.1% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1030 and 1180 — near the AR middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Arkansas State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Arkansas State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1030–1180 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Arkansas State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 510 | 550 | 590 |
| SAT Math | 520 | 550 | 590 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Arkansas State University received 8,019 applications and admitted 5,587 (69.7%), with 1,660 enrolling.
How Arkansas State University compares
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 82.3% | 70.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,090 | $13,467 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $42,617 | $44,308 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Arkansas State University's median earnings are $42,617 — below the Arkansas benchmark of $44,308. Weigh that against the $8,090 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Arkansas State University prices by residency: $8,090 in-state versus $14,522 out-of-state — a $6,432 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Arkansas State University enrolls 9,110 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Arkansas State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
55.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 45% don't — ask a Arkansas State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Arkansas State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $98,691 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,665 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $88,611 |
| Civil Engineering | $83,270 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,309 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,408 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,944 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $63,340 |
| Plant Sciences | $61,397 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $60,039 |
| Homeland Security | $58,242 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $58,128 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $57,419 |
| Marketing | $56,685 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $55,833 |
| Biology, General | $54,441 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $54,196 |
| Political Science and Government | $49,078 |
| Social Work | $47,449 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,023 |
| Criminology | $46,293 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $46,015 |
| Sociology | $45,889 |
| Psychology, General | $44,872 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,780 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,327 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,758 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,733 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,947 |
| Mathematics | $41,340 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,961 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,897 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,366 |
Median earnings for these 33 Arkansas State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $42,617 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 29 additional Arkansas State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Arkansas State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1030–1180 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 82.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Arkansas State University's acceptance rate?
69.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,587 admitted from 8,019 applicants.
How much does Arkansas State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,090; out-of-state students pay $14,522. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Arkansas State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $42,617 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Arkansas
- University of Arkansas — 74.3% admitted
- Lyon College — 62.8% admitted
- Central Baptist College — 63.5% admitted
- Harding University — 70.5% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.