Southern Arkansas University Tech: $4,685 Tuition

$4,685Tuition

663Students

61%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,376Earnings

#3 in ArkansasPublic2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Southern Arkansas University Tech

Southern Arkansas University Tech serves 663 students seeking hands-on career training in rural Camden. The college specializes in technical and workforce programs designed to get graduates job-ready quickly. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personal attention while learning practical skills for in-demand careers. Nearly 90% of students come from Arkansas, creating a tight-knit community focused on local workforce needs.

The financial picture looks promising for career-focused students. After aid, most students pay around $5,895 annually, while those from lower-income families pay just $4,645. Graduates typically earn $36,376 ten years after starting, making the modest $6,000 median debt load manageable with $64 monthly payments. The 95.5% employment rate shows employers value the hands-on training students receive.

Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and service programs. The campus houses 200 students, though most commute from nearby communities. With only 83 athletes across four sports, this isn't a place for big-time athletics. Instead, students focus on building technical skills that translate directly into Arkansas jobs.

Academics & Faculty

Southern Arkansas University Tech specializes in hands-on technical and workforce training programs designed to get students career-ready fast. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means plenty of individual attention in labs and workshops. With a 61.20% six-year graduation rate, most students complete their programs and enter the workforce quickly. The school focuses on practical skills training rather than traditional academic subjects. Programs emphasize real-world applications and industry partnerships. Students receive direct instruction from faculty who often have professional experience in their fields. The technical college model means coursework is streamlined toward specific career outcomes. Class sizes stay small to ensure students master hands-on skills before graduation.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 69.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 61.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,376

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies.	Associate	$41,007
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$29,685
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.	Associate	$28,055
Computer Software and Media Applications.	Associate	$24,035

View all 45 programs →

Campus Life

Camden sits 90 miles south of Little Rock in the Arkansas timber country. The 663 students navigate a small technical campus where winter coats are essential for December through February, though spring arrives early. Only 200 students can live on campus, meaning most commute from surrounding rural communities where 89.47% call Arkansas home.

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates tight-knit classroom environments focused on hands-on technical training. Women make up 64.40% of enrollment, often pursuing nursing and business programs while men gravitate toward industrial technology. The small size means everyone knows each other by name within weeks. Four NCCAA sports teams draw modest crowds, but weekends revolve more around hunting, fishing, and trips to nearby lakes than traditional college parties. Students often work part-time jobs in Camden's timber and manufacturing industries, giving them real-world experience before graduation. The 95.5% employment rate reflects strong local employer relationships. Social life centers on study groups and small gatherings rather than large campus events.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 200 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 31°–53°F
July Avg: 71°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 53.1"
Annual Snowfall: 1.5"

Student Demographics

Southern Arkansas University Tech draws students from across Arkansas who want hands-on career training without leaving the state. Nearly 90% of students come from in-state, reflecting the school's strong reputation for workforce development in rural Arkansas. Women make up about two-thirds of the student body, typical for technical programs in healthcare and business services that dominate the curriculum. The school serves a economically diverse population, with many first-generation college students choosing SAU Tech as an affordable path to stable employment in growing technical fields.

Men: 35.6%
Women: 64.4%
White: 51.4%
Black: 38.6%
Hispanic: 3.6%
Asian: 0.2%
In-State Students: 89.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.5%

Location

Camden sits in south-central Arkansas, about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock and 90 miles north of Shreveport, Louisiana. The town of roughly 11,000 residents serves as the seat of Ouachita County in Arkansas's timber and agriculture region. Camden's economy traditionally centered on defense manufacturing and lumber, with the nearby Ouachita River providing recreational opportunities for students. The rural setting means 89% of SAU Tech's 663 students come from in-state, drawn to hands-on technical training in a close-knit community atmosphere. Small-town life dominates here, with outdoor activities like fishing and hunting popular among locals. Students considering colleges in Arkansas may also compare Southern Arkansas University Tech with similar schools in the region.

Address: Camden, Arkansas 71701-1906

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,376
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,651
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 39.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $64/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southern Arkansas University Tech?

Southern Arkansas University Tech maintains open enrollment as a two-year technical college focused on workforce development. The school serves 663 students with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in technical training programs.

How much does Southern Arkansas University Tech cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,895 annually, with the same $4,685 tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,645 after aid, making technical education highly accessible.

What academic programs is Southern Arkansas University Tech known for?

The college specializes in technical and workforce training programs designed for immediate career preparation. With a 95.5% employment rate, students gain hands-on skills in high-demand technical fields through focused two-year programs.

What are the job prospects for Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $36,376 ten years after completing their programs, with strong early career earnings of $42,327 just one year out. The 95.5% employment rate reflects the college's focus on in-demand technical skills.

Does Southern Arkansas University Tech offer on-campus housing?

The rural Camden campus provides housing for 200 students at $6,248 annually for room and board. Women make up 64.4% of the student body, while 89.5% of students come from within Arkansas.

How manageable is student debt at Southern Arkansas University Tech?

Graduates carry a median debt of just $6,000 with monthly loan payments of only $64. The low debt burden reflects the college's affordable tuition and focus on quick entry into the workforce through technical training.