About Arkansas Tech University
Students pay an average net price of $12,171 after financial aid, making this one of Arkansas's more affordable options. Graduates earn a median of $41,766 ten years after leaving school. Students typically borrow $21,000 to finance their education, resulting in monthly loan payments of $223. The employment rate hits 95.3%, reflecting the university's strong connections to regional employers who value Arkansas Tech's technical training.
The Wonder Boys and Golden Suns compete in NCAA Division II athletics across 10 sports. About 94% of students come from Arkansas, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often become lifelong professional networks. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know their students personally. However, only 49% of students graduate within six years, suggesting the demanding technical coursework requires serious commitment to succeed.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 48.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.7%
- Retention Rate
- 71.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $41,766
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,955 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $54,974 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,607 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $49,136 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $45,808 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,798 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $40,222 |
| Education, General. | Master | $38,649 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $38,289 |
Campus Life
The Wonder Boys and Golden Suns compete in NCAA Division II with 322 total athletes across 10 sports. Weekend activities center around outdoor recreation in the Arkansas River Valley and Ozark foothills. Lake Dardanelle offers fishing and boating just minutes from campus. With 94% of students from Arkansas, most go home on weekends or stick around for intramural sports and campus events. The engineering and technical programs create a practical, career-focused atmosphere where students bond over lab projects and co-op experiences. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social scenes like at larger universities.
- Setting
- Town-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 2,058 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1909
Campus Safety (2023)
21 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 29°–50°F
- July Avg
- 71°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 46.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 3.1"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 42.3%
- Women
- 57.7%
- White
- 71.9%
- Black
- 6.4%
- Hispanic
- 11.8%
- Asian
- 1.9%
- In-State Students
- 94.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 33.8%
Location
- Address
- Russellville, Arkansas 72801-2222
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $41,766
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $45,974
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $31,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 56.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Arkansas Tech University?
Arkansas Tech University accepts 94.39% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21. The university focuses on providing accessible higher education to students throughout Arkansas, with 94.13% of students coming from in-state.
How much does Arkansas Tech University cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Arkansas Tech University is $12,171 per year. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $11,146, making this engineering-focused university particularly affordable for rural Arkansas families.
What academic programs is Arkansas Tech University known for?
Arkansas Tech University specializes in engineering and career-focused technical education with a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. The university has built a strong reputation for practical, hands-on programs that prepare students for technical careers in Arkansas and beyond.
What are employment outcomes like for Arkansas Tech University graduates?
Arkansas Tech University graduates have a 95.3% employment rate with median earnings of $41,766 ten years after graduation. However, only 48.70% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many working students face in rural Arkansas.
Where is Arkansas Tech University located and what is campus life like?
Arkansas Tech University sits in Russellville, a small town in rural Arkansas, with 5,993 students enrolled. The campus houses 2,058 students and fields 10 varsity sports teams competing as the Wonder Boys and Golden Suns in NCAA Division II.
Does Arkansas Tech University offer good value for working-class students?
Arkansas Tech University serves a significant working-class population with 33.75% of students receiving Pell Grants and graduates carrying a median debt of $21,000. The monthly loan payment of $223 is manageable given the university's focus on career-oriented programs that lead to steady employment.
