Arkansas State University is a public mid-size four-year college in Jonesboro, AR, focused on bachelor’s-level study with an urban campus setting, with about 9,110 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 82.3%, typical net price of $12,366 after grants, first-year retention of 78.1%, about 55.4% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $38,944 six years after enrollment.

Grade for Arkansas State University

Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.

Overall grade

C

Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.

How are grades calculated?

Affordability
B+

$12,366Average net price

Outcomes
C

55.4%Graduation rate

Career
F

$38,944Median earnings, 6 years after entry

Economic Access
C+

38.4%Pell Grant recipient share

Key facts for Arkansas State University

Tuition (in-state)
$8,090
Tuition (out-of-state)
$14,522
Total cost of attendance
$25,082
Average net price
$12,366
Acceptance rate
82.3%
Total enrollment
9,110
Graduation rate
55.4%
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$38,944

Key rankings for Arkansas State University

Where Arkansas State University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.

#307 of 1,811

Net Price

#1,317 of 1,816

Earnings

#794 of 1,808

Retention

#890 of 1,850

Graduation

#483 of 1,767

Debt

What stands out at Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.

  • Small city
  • 9,110 undergraduates
Average net price$12,366
Acceptance rate82.3%
Pell Grant recipient share38.4%
Graduation rate55.4%
Median earnings, 6 years after entry$38,944
First-year retention78.1%

Average net price after aid runs below the national median for similar schools, but six-year earnings also trail that median. Families should weigh aid, majors, and local job markets together.

First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.

Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.

Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.

Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.

At a glance

Cost, outcomes & access at Arkansas State University

Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.

Net Price and Earnings

Average net price (after aid)
$12,366
Median earnings 6 years after entry
$38,944

Retention and Graduation

First-year retention
78.1%
Graduation rate (within 6 years)
55.4%

Acceptance and Pell Grant Share

Acceptance rate
82.3%
Undergraduate Pell recipient share
38.4%
Total cost and tuition

Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.

Total cost of attendance$25,082
Listed tuition (in-state)$8,090
Listed tuition (out-of-state)$14,522
Room and board (on campus)$11,550
Average net price (after aid)$12,366

In-state tuition is below the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is below the national median of $26,816.

Average net price by family income

Average net price by family income for full-time, first-time undergraduates.

$0–$30k$10,098
$30k–$48k$9,255
$48k–$75k$12,205
$75k–$110k$15,839
$110k+$16,444

How Arkansas State University compares

Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).

This school vs state, regional, and national benchmarks

Net price

This school$12,366
State (AR)$16,756
Region$18,796
National$19,923

Earnings, 6 years

This school$38,944
State (AR)$37,629
Region$39,566
National$45,225

Retention

This school78.1%
State (AR)69.2%
Region71.9%
National74.9%

Graduation

This school55.4%
State (AR)42.3%
Region48.8%
National54.4%

Median debt

This school$20,500
State (AR)$21,500
Region$24,053
National$23,250

Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.

Measure This school State (AR) Region Nation
Net price$12,366Below national median$16,756$18,796$19,923
Earnings, 6 years$38,944Below national median$37,629$39,566$45,225
Retention78.1%Above national median69.2%71.9%74.9%
Graduation55.4%Above national median42.3%48.8%54.4%
Acceptance rate82.3%Above national median73.8%74.3%77.0%
Pell share38.4%Above national median40.2%37.9%33.9%
Median debt$20,500Below national median$21,500$24,053$23,250
3-year cohort default rate0.0%About the same0.0%0.0%0.0%

Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.

Campus & institution details for Arkansas State University

Campus settingSmall city
Official websitewww.astate.edu/
Student–faculty ratio17:1
Full-time faculty100.0%
Avg monthly faculty salary$7,579
SAT midpointReading & Writing 550 · Math 565

Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.

Women63.5%
Men36.5%
Black or African American15.4%
Hispanic / Latino5.3%
White63.1%
Asian0.9%
Two or more races3.9%
International students10.1%

Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas State University

Common questions about Arkansas State University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.

Where is Arkansas State University located?

Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.

What kind of school is Arkansas State University?

Arkansas State University is a public four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.

How much does it cost to attend Arkansas State University (tuition and net price)?

Listed sticker tuition is $8,090 for in-state students and $14,522 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $12,366. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.

What is Arkansas State University's acceptance rate?

The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 82.3% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.

How large is Arkansas State University's undergraduate student body?

Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,110. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.

What are completion and earnings outcomes for Arkansas State University?

Median earnings six years after entry at Arkansas State University are roughly $38,944. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 55.4% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.

How does Best Universities rank Arkansas State University?

Among similar schools nationwide, Arkansas State University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#307 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#1,317 of 1,816); First-year retention (#794 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#890 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#483 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.

Where should I go for admissions and official information about Arkansas State University?

For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Arkansas State University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.

All figures for Arkansas State University Expand to view

A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.

All figures for Arkansas State University
FieldValue
InstitutionArkansas State University
Official websitewww.astate.edu/
City, stateJonesboro, AR
School typeFour-year college
Undergraduate enrollment9,110
Listed tuition (in-state)$8,090
Listed tuition (out-of-state)$14,522
Listed tuition (generic)$8,090
Total cost of attendance$25,082
Room and board (on campus)$11,550
Average net price$12,366
Median earnings, 6 years after entry$38,944
Median earnings, 8 years after entry$40,605
Median earnings, 10 years after entry$42,617
Median loan debt$20,500
3-year cohort default rate0.0%
First-year retention78.1%
Graduation rate (4-year programs)55.4%
Graduation rate (shorter programs)Not reported
Acceptance rate82.3%
SAT average1,090
ACT average23
Pell Grant share38.4%
Share with federal loans42.4%
Part-time enrollment share39.4%
Campus settingSmall city
Student–faculty ratio17
Avg monthly faculty salary$7,579
Full-time faculty share100.0%
Online onlyNo
HBCUNo
SAT midpoint, Math565
SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing550
Share of undergraduates, women63.5%
Share of undergraduates, men36.5%
Share of undergraduates, Black15.4%
Share of undergraduates, Hispanic5.3%
Share of undergraduates, White63.1%
Share of undergraduates, Asian0.9%
Share of undergraduates, two or more races3.9%
Share of undergraduates, international10.1%
Net price, family income $0–30k$10,098
Net price, family income $30–48k$9,255
Net price, family income $48–75k$12,205
Net price, family income $75–110k$15,839
Net price, family income $110k+$16,444

Sources for Arkansas State University

Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.