Arkansas Acceptance Rate
So, you’re thinking about applying to the University of Arkansas, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.
Test Type
With an acceptance rate of 60%, admission to Arkansas is moderately competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1200, or an ACT score of around 26.
Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at Arkansas admission statistics.
Arkansas Admissions Statistics
Arkansas’ acceptance rate in 2017 was 60%. For students applying to the class of 2021, out of 20,542 applicants, Arkansas admitted about 12,337. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.64, the average ACT score was 26, and the average SAT score was 1190.
For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 23, and the 75th percentile score was 28.
For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1080. The 75th percentile score was 1280.
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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.
Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
As we said, admission to Arkansas is moderately competitive. Even if Arkansas is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.
Generally, you should have at least three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores), three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.
OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at Arkansas’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.
Arkansas Application Requirements
To apply to Arkansas, you’ll need to fill out the Online Application, submit an ACT or SAT score, pay the $40 application fee, and submit your high school transcript. Everything should be submitted by November 1st.
Here’s a full list of application requirements:
- Fill out the Online Application
- Submit an ACT score or SAT score
- Pay the $40 application fee
- Submit your high school transcript
The application deadline is November 1st. November 15th is the financial aid application deadline. May 1 is the reply date for admitted students.
Have you been admitted to Arkansas? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.
Arkansas Admitted Students Profile
If you matriculate at Arkansas, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.
Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:
- Roughly 47% are male and 53% are female
- 3% of students are international
Arkansas has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:
- International: 3%
- Underrepresented minority: 0.5%
- Two or more races: 3.5%
- White: 78.9%
What do these admitted students plan to study? Arkansas offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:
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- Engineering
- Communication
- Journalism
Now, how are you going to pay for this?
Arkansas Tuition Figures
At $38,650, Arkansas’ cost of attendance is astronomical. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $7,025.
Here’s a fuller look at Arkansas tuition and financial aid in 2017:
- Total budget: $38,650
- Average financial aid package: $7,025
- The average student debt of an Arkansas graduate is $24,181
Now, what is life like at Arkansas? Let’s take a look.
Arkansas Location
The main campus is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
11 of the buildings on campus have already been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Remember, you’re going to Arkansas for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.
Arkansas Academics
Arkansas has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Business Administration and Management
- Computer Engineering
- Data Processing
- Economics
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- German Language and Literature
- Human Resources Development
- Interior Design
- Journalism
- Landscape Architecture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Ornamental Horticulture
- Poultry Science
- Psychology
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Arkansas.
Student Life at Arkansas
Arkansas has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.
Here’s a sampling of Arkansas’s student activities:
- Association of Computing Machinery
- Advertising Club
- Anthropology Club
- Arkansas Women in Science & Math
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest Arkansas
- Biology Club
- Collegiate Discipleship Ministries
- Connections Mentor Program
- Camp War Eagle
- Engineering World Health
- Full Stomach Clean Feet
- Global Medical Brigades
- Hogs for Hope
- Japanese Student Association
- National Alliance on Mental Illness UA Chapter
- People Respecting the Individual Differences and Equality
- West Coast Swing
Are you an athlete? Arkansas has plenty of options for you.
Arkansas Athletics
Arkansas offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.
Arkansas’ sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Cross-Country
- Golf
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Who might you become with an Arkansas degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:
Notable Alums
Arkansas has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.
Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:
- Sportscaster Pat Summerall
- Dillard’s founder William T. Dillard
- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
- Walmart CEO Doug McMillan
- PGA golfer John Daly
- NFL coach Jimmy Johnson
- US Senator John Boozman
And this is only a partial list!
Remember!
Getting into Arkansas is moderately competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no. If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are. If you work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.
If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.
Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.
Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.
For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
Shark Tank Winner, Perfect SAT Scorer, Dermatologist, & #1 Bestselling AuthorMore from Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
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