Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Camden, Arkansas. It enrolls 672 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
66/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes45
Value56
Affordability60
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, Southern Arkansas University Tech generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Southern Arkansas University Tech isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $9,018 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$9,018
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
42%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
10%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$5,040
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$6,480
Room & Board (on-campus)
$5,372
Room & Board (off-campus)
$9,000
Books & Supplies
$1,500
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,643
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$7,962
Total Cost of Attendance
$17,294
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$8,848
$30,001 – $48,000
$9,208
$48,001 – $75,000
$8,633
$75,001 – $110,000
$11,321
Over $110,000
$17,294
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$1,30010%percentile
$2,25025%percentile
$6,000Medianpercentile
$7,00075%percentile
$11,33690%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $4,000
↓ $2,000
No Pell $5,500
↓ $500
Dependent students $4,000
↓ $2,000
Independent students $5,667
↓ $333
Female students $4,500
↓ $1,500
Male students $4,500
↓ $1,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $3,450, less than completers ($6,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
34% of full-time students who enrolled at Southern Arkansas University Tech graduate within six years, and 57% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
34%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
57%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $36,376 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$36,376
Earning > $25K
62%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$26,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$40,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $14,700, about 36% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
3.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 60% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Southern Arkansas University Tech is home to 672 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 52% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
672
Part-Time
35%
First-Generation
52%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 44.9%302
Black 38.1%256
Other 11.5%77
Hispanic 5.2%35
Asian 0.3%2
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Southern Arkansas University Tech. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: DistantCamden, Arkansas
Housing
Partly residential200 beds available
Adult Learners
21%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
43 distinct programs across
14 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Southern Arkansas University Tech is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$14,050
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$1.2M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$41,034
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
58 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
No Rank
58
100%
$41,034
Pros & Cons of Southern Arkansas University Tech
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Southern Arkansas University Tech tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
Open admissions
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
Low typical debt at graduation
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Best for:
Based on the data, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Arkansas University Tech
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech hard to get into?
Southern Arkansas University Tech has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Arkansas University Tech?
Southern Arkansas University Tech has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Southern Arkansas University Tech cost?
The average net price after aid at Southern Arkansas University Tech is $9,018 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $36,376 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $9,018 per year. That's roughly 4.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Southern Arkansas University Tech known for?
Southern Arkansas University Tech is best known for its programs in Health Sciences, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Precision Metal Working. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Southern Arkansas University Tech are $36,376, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech accredited?
Yes. Southern Arkansas University Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Southern Arkansas University Tech?
Southern Arkansas University Tech enrolls 672 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Tech?
Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates 34% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech a public or private college?
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a Public institution.
Where is Southern Arkansas University Tech located?
Southern Arkansas University Tech is located in Camden, Arkansas.
What programs does Southern Arkansas University Tech offer?
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers 43 distinct programs. The most popular include Health Sciences, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Precision Metal Working.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Southern Arkansas University Tech?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Southern Arkansas University Tech is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Arkansas
Other colleges in Arkansas share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Liberal Arts
Practical Nursing
Precision Metal Working
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