Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University is a public university in Russellville, AR earning an overall grade of Unranked, enrolling about 5,388 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 95.9%. Students most often pursue Mechanical Engineering and Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, 74.1% first-year retention, and 48.6% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $12,970, about $4,028 less than the national median. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $37,638. That's about $6,050 below national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Arkansas Tech University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Arkansas Tech University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,674 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $10,338 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,297 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $22,808 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 33.9% of Arkansas Tech University students receive Pell Grants — slightly below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $12,426 to $15,543 depending on family income. Use Arkansas Tech University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $14,675/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $15,543/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $37,638
- 10-Year Median Earnings $41,766
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $11,350
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 56.5%
- Employment Rate Not reported
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Arkansas Tech University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Arkansas Tech University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Arkansas Tech University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Arkansas Tech University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 450-550
- SAT Math 430-550
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 17-23
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 5,388
- Full-Time Students 83.2%
- Part-Time Students 16.8%
- Retention Rate 74.1%
- Graduation Rate 48.6%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 17:1
How to Get Into Arkansas Tech University
1. Meet Program Requirements: Arkansas Tech University focuses on practical skills and career readiness. Review the specific program requirements, which may include a high school diploma or equivalent, and any prerequisite coursework.
2. Prepare for Your Program: Focus on demonstrating your interest in the field and readiness for hands-on training. Some programs may require interviews or portfolio submissions.
3. Understand Admissions: Trade and certificate programs typically have open or moderately selective admissions focused on program fit rather than academic competition.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 95.9% acceptance rate, Arkansas Tech University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 880 and 1100 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Arkansas Tech University undergraduates. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Hum, Health and Medical Administrative Services, and Business Administration, Management and Operations draw the most students.
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Hum 30.1%
- Health and Medical Administrative Services 8.5%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 7.7%
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 3.6%
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, Gen 3.4%
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing 3.0%
See more majors
- Criminal Justice and Corrections 2.7%
- Computer and Information Sciences, General 2.6%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Certificate Programs
- 1. Mechanical Engineering $84,124
- 2. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $82,768
- 3. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $74,798
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Nuclear Engineering Technologies/Technicians $74,249
- 5. Business/Managerial Economics $72,112
- 6. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $71,435
- 7. Accounting and Related Services $66,718
- 8. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions $64,185
- 9. Biology, General $57,721
- 10. Homeland Security $53,210
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degree) $93,705
- 2. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $68,248
- 3. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $62,134
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Homeland Security (Master's Degree) $59,668
- 5. Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degree) $57,110
- 6. Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degree) $51,939
- 7. Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degree) $48,024
- 8. Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degree) $46,981
- 9. Education, General (Master's Degree) $46,938
- 10. Education, Other (Master's Degree) $42,347
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Mechanical Engineering grads earn $84,124—58% more than Homeland Security ($53,210). Graduate: Educational Administration and Supervision programs lead with $93,705 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Arkansas Tech University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 377 graduates)
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 136 graduates)
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 121 graduates)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree, 108 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 84 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (40 programs)â–¼
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Psychology, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Mechanical Engineering
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Design and Applied Arts
- Communication and Media Studies
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Biology, General
- Journalism
- Sociology
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Hospitality Administration/Management
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
- Accounting and Related Services
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Geography and Cartography
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
- Computer Systems Analysis
- Music
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Marketing
- International/Global Studies
- Physics
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Engineering Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
- Statistics
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Online Master's Degrees (14 programs)â–¼
- Educational/Instructional Media Design
- Education, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Education, Other
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Psychology, General
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
- History
- Sociology
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Mechanical Engineering
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
Online Doctoral Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Educational Administration and Supervision
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (21 programs)â–¼
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies
- Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
- Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
- Culinary Arts and Related Services
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
- Information Science/Studies
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
- Homeland Security
- Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Psychology, General
- Visual and Performing Arts, Other
- Communication and Media Studies
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 5,388
- Full-Time Students 83.2%
- Part-Time Students 16.8%
- Male Students 41.7%
- Female Students 58.3%
- Caucasian 71.6%
- Asian 2.0%
- Hispanic 12.3%
- Black 5.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients 33.9%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Arkansas Tech University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Arkansas Tech University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Arkansas Tech University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Arkansas Tech University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: The student body is 71.6% White, reflecting less racial diversity than the national average.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Arkansas Tech University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Arkansas Tech University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Arkansas Tech University serves as an affordable trade school for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Unranked with ROI data not available, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $12,970 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $37,638 median earnings. The 48.6% six-year graduation rate reflects reasonable completion metrics for a trade school. While 74.1% retention suggests adequate student support.
Trade School Value: Arkansas Tech University's Strengths
Unranked with a Unranked grade, Arkansas Tech University prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Trade Schools like Arkansas Tech University excel at providing affordable education ($12,970 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: Arkansas Tech University's 74.1% retention and 48.6% six-year graduation rate trail elite universities but align with typical trade school performance. Career outcomes ($37,638 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, Arkansas Tech University and $12,970 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- 48.6% six-year graduation rate sits 13.9 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 74.1% first-year retention is 2.7 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- Median earnings of $37,638 run about 14% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $12,970 is roughly $4,342 lower than the national median of $17,312.
- 17:1 student-faculty ratio keeps advising personal and discussion-sized.
Helpfulness for Students
- 17:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 74.1% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- Pell participation at 33.9% trails the national share by 6.9 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates Arkansas Tech University—a public university in Russellville, AR—at Unranked overall. Completion earns Unranked, Support Unranked, Career Outcomes Unranked, and Affordability Unranked.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
74.1% of learners come back after year one while 48.6% complete the degree within six years. Review the cost and aid tables for a full picture of value.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $12,970 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $22,808.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $9,838 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $11,350 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 33.9% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Six years in, alumni earn roughly $37,638 at the median. This is roughly 14% below typical U.S. college outcomes.
Employment figures are not reported, so explore departmental job placement stories.
Use the ROI table above to estimate how long it may take to recoup your degree costs.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
95.9% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
SAT scores often cluster around 1049, although holistic review remains central.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Arkansas Tech University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Nearby Schools
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Note: EDsmart’s national college rankings compare four-year, bachelor’s-granting institutions. Certificate- and trade-focused schools are not included in that ranking pool. The schools below are four-year references in the same state only, not peer comparisons.
Other Arkansas campuses you might consider
Contact Information
- Address 305 West Q Street, Russellville, AR 72801
- Website www.atu.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
- Endowment$66.4M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate18.7%