Arkansas State University Admissions

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

Arkansas State University Admissions Overview:

To be considered for admission to ASU, students need to have a high school GPA of 2.3 (on the 4.0 scale). To apply, students must submit an online application, found on the school's website. Additional requirements include an application fee, high school transcripts, and test scores. While the school accepts both the SAT and ACT, the vast majority of applicants submit ACT scores. There are also additional applications for some financial aid sources, and for campus housing. Students are encouraged to visit the campus and take a tour before submitting their application, in order to see it ASU is a good fit for them. With an acceptance rate of 70%, ASU is not highly selective; students with good grades and good test scores have a decent chance of being accepted to the school.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Arkansas State University Acceptance Rate: 70%
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 433 / 585
  • SAT Math: 500 / 620
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
    • SAT comparison for Arkansas colleges
    • Sun Belt SAT comparison chart
    • What these ACT numbers mean
    • ACT comparison for Arkansas colleges
    • Sun Belt ACT comparison chart

    Arkansas State University Description:

    Arkansas State University (ASU) is a public university located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a small city in the northeast corner of the state. The university offers 168 fields of study and has a 17 to 1 student / faculty ratio. Popular academic programs include accounting, biology, business, nursing, social work, and education. On the student life front, ASU has an impressive 300 student organizations, including an active Greek system in which about 15% of students participate. In athletics, the Arkansas State University Red Wolves compete in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. Popular sports include football, basketball, track and field, and soccer.

    Enrollment (2016):

    • Total Enrollment: 14,085 (9,839 undergraduates)
    • Gender Breakdown: 43% Male / 57% Female
    • 74% Full-time

    Costs (2016 - 17):

    • Tuition and Fees: $8,200 (in-state); $14,260 (out-of-state)
    • Books: $1,137 (why so much?)
    • Room and Board: $8,540
    • Other Expenses: $4,131
    • Total Cost: $22,008 (in-state); $28,068 (out-of-state)

    Arkansas State University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

    • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 94%
    • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
      • Grants: 93%
      • Loans: 52%
      • Grants: $9,085
      • Loans: $5,673

      Academic Programs:

      • Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Finance, Middle School Education, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work.

      Graduation, Retention and Transfer Rates:

      • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 75%
      • Transfer Out Rate: 34%
      • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 26%
      • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 44%

      Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

      • Men's Sports: Football, Golf, Track and Field, Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball
      • Women's Sports: Golf, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Bowling, Basketball, Track and Field, Cross Country

      Data Source:

      National Center for Educational Statistics

      If You Like Arkansas State University, You May Also Like These Schools:

      Students looking for another school in the Sun Belt Conference—generally all similar in size, accessibility, and range of programs—should check out Coastal Carolina University, the University of South Alabama, and Appalachian State University.

      For those interested in a 4-year, larger public college or university in Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are also all great options to consider.