Arkansas State University (A-State) is a public research university in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in the Jonesboro metropolitan area. It is a mid-sized university with around 14,000 students. Admissions are moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of around 72%. Strongest majors are Business, Nursing, Education, and Liberal Arts. The six-year graduation rate is roughly 54%, and A-State graduates have a median income of roughly INR 41,00,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$49,000).
University of Arkansas (U of A) is the flagship public research institution in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the Northwest Arkansas area. It is a larger university with around 32,000 students. It has selective admissions with an acceptance rate of approximately 71.70%. Some popular majors are Business, Engineering, Agriculture, and Social Sciences. Graduation rate at the age of six is around 66%, and U of A alumni have a median salary of around INR 47,50,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$57,000).
| Arkansas State University | University of Arkansas | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 | |||||||||||||||
| ranking (overall) | # 361 US News 2024 | # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 501 Times Higher Education 2025 # 587 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Subject Strength | - | # 106 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 601 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023 # 115 for Law by US News 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Programs | UG Programs -65 PG Programs -29 | UG Programs -63 PG Programs -56 | |||||||||||||||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.0 % | 71.7 % | |||||||||||||||
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1016 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1110 TOEFL-79 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 12990 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 18282 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 7700 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 24468 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28348 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 25512 Per Year | |||||||||||||||
| placement (average package) |
| 93.3% of MBA students get employed within 3 months of graduation. Average starting salary for the graduates is around $80,454. The average undergraduate salary for the business programs ranges between $45,438 to $61,887. | |||||||||||||||
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency Check program specific requirements | Submit academic transcripts Submit statement of purpose Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements | |||||||||||||||
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.2/10 Read 2 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | - | # 50 for Business by US News 2025 # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160GMAT - 480/800GRE - 300/340IELTS - 6/9PTE - 56/75TOEFL - 79/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -12564 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -38286 |
| application dates | Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Jan 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For Mid-Spring 2026 Intake) Apr 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) | Feb 15, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Arkansas State University | University of Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1909 | 1871 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 19:1 |
| Male:Female | 40% Male, 60% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | The university is a part of the Arkansas university system and the primary campus is located at Jonesboro, Arkansas. There are several other campuses located in the state of Arkansas. | The university's picturesque campus is located in Fayetteville in the hilly northwest corner of Arkansas and includes two arboreta overlooking the Ozark Mountains. |
| Library |
| The library system of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, includes the David W. Mullins Library, the main research facility on campus, and four branch libraries: The Robert A. and Vivian Young Law Library, The Fine Arts Library, The Chemistry and Biochemistry Library, The Physics Library. With 2.1 million volumes and more than 56,000 journal titles, students will find research material for every subject. Other resources in the collections include several thousand maps, manuscripts, and more than 33,000 audio and visual materials, including music scores, recordings, and movies, available through the Performing Arts and Media Department on the lower-level of Mullins Library. |
| Campus Life | The main campus of Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The university covers an area of 1376 acres.
| The University of Arkansas offers a vibrant campus life that is culturally, intellectually and socially enriching. On the campus, you'll find 380 registered student organizations, from special interests to professional groups, as well as 33 Greek organizations, making it easy and rewarding to get involved. Every semester offers opportunities to attend musical performances, theater productions, art exhibits, concerts, free films, poetry readings, visiting speakers and hundreds of other events. Registered student organizations (RSOs) provide students the opportunity to develop organizations based on shared interests. Students are able to create, govern, budget and plan their own organizations and events. Current RSOs can be academic, religious, Greek, professional or grounded in special interests. And if you don’t find one you like, you can even start your own. The Center for Community Engagement offers service programs for students, student groups, faculty, and staff. Programs include food programs, mentorship, and several volunteer opportunities through the Volunteer Action Center. The Multicultural Center exists to enhance the University of Arkansas academic experience by preparing students for life in a diverse society. |
| Hostel | #Double Room Per Semester - $2500 #Single Room per Semester - $3000 | #On campus - $10704 #Off campus (not with family) - $10704 #Off campus (with family) - $4104 |
| Famous Alumni |
| George W. Bond – president of Louisiana Tech University 1929–1936 Steve Atwater – 2020 NFL Hall of Fame inductee, eight-time Pro Bowl NFL defensive back |
| City Life |
| Fayetteville is a vibrant, progressive community with cosmopolitan entertainment options and a small-town feel. Home to the University of Arkansas, and located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville in one of the fastest growing areas of the United States and has twice been named among the Best Places to Live in the US by US News and World Report. The community offers a wealth of options for work, entertainment, exploration, and education. Each year Fayetteville Parks and Recreation workers spend over 3,300 hours decorating the Downtown Square with more than 400,000 lights. Lighting night, held in mid-November, includes a holiday parade, music, and more. The square remains illuminated from mid-November to December 31. |
| Weather |
Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Arkansas (U of A) is the state’s flagship public research university and ranks higher in global and national listings. In the QS World University Rankings 2026,university of arkansas ranked 601+ range globally, while Arkansas State University (A-State) typically appears in regional rankings rather than international ones. U of A is especially strong in business, engineering, agriculture, and architecture, while A-State is well-regarded for health sciences, business administration, and teacher education.
General Information
The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, is the largest and most prominent public university in the state, with about 32,000 students. Arkansas State University, located in Jonesboro, is a smaller public research university with around 14,000 students. U of A has a flagship campus feel with extensive research facilities, while A-State provides a more intimate environment and is often considered more accessible.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both institutions are accessible public universities. The University of Arkansas has an acceptance rate around71.70%, while Arkansas State admits about 72% of applicants. U of A draws more students nationally and internationally, while A-State serves a larger proportion of in-state and regional students.
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Arkansas is classified as an R1 research university, with extensive labs, centers, and a strong research output in engineering, agriculture, and materials science. A-State is classified as an R2 institution, with meaningful but smaller-scale research, focusing on healthcare, education, and regional economic development.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities are public and relatively affordable, especially for in-state students. U of A’s tuition is slightly higher (around USD 10,000–11,000 per year in-state) compared to A-State (about USD 9,000 per year in-state). Both provide need-based and merit scholarships, though U of A often has a broader pool of funding due to its flagship status.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
U of A alumni benefit from a large network, especially strong in business, law, engineering, and agriculture, with many graduates moving into national and international roles. A-State alumni do well regionally, particularly in health sciences, teaching, and business, though the alumni network is smaller and more locally concentrated. Overall, U of A offers more prestige and global recognition, while A-State emphasizes accessibility and community impact.
