University of Arkansas at Little Rock combines accessible admissions with strong affordability outcomes. The university serves diverse student populations including 41% Pell-eligible and 66% transfer students while maintaining controlled debt levels and generating positive earnings beyond expectations.
Around the national average for long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Above-average cost management and debt control
Well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Typical outcomes in converting access into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisStrong access with moderate selectivity
University of Arkansas at Little Rock ranks #467 nationally, with composite performance at the 71.4th percentile. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, this medium-sized public institution maintains a 57.7% acceptance rate while delivering above-average affordability outcomes.
The university enrolls 41.0% Pell-eligible students and 39.1% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. With 66.0% of students transferring in, University of Arkansas at Little Rock serves as a pathway for students completing their degrees.
Graduates earn $3,193 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 68.1st percentile nationally for earnings uplift. This combination of accessible admissions, diverse student composition, and controlled costs positions the institution within the Under-Resourced Institutions category, where schools serve high-need populations while managing resource constraints.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock delivers solid return on investment through controlled debt levels and program-specific strengths. Graduates earn a median of $45,265 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $28,588 at the 25th percentile to $67,515 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $3,193 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 68.1st percentile nationally on this measure. Median student debt remains manageable at $22,000, with a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong value outcomes in health sciences and professional programs. Well-suited for transfer students (66%), first-generation students (39.1%), and those prioritizing low debt levels with manageable post-graduation payments.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the University Of Arkansas At Little Rock hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock publishes a cost of attendance of $21,013 annually, including $19,210 in out-of-state tuition, $9,352 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $8,455.
However, the average student pays just $16,136 after financial aid, representing savings of $4,877 from the published price. This net price of $16,136 compares favorably to the peer median of $14,093, though it runs $2,043 higher than similar institutions.
The cost structure demonstrates the university's commitment to affordability, with financial aid reducing the burden for most students. Cost varies significantly by family income, ranging from $14,143 for the lowest-income families to $21,013 for the highest earners.
The university's public status provides inherent cost advantages, particularly for Arkansas residents. Students should expect meaningful financial aid packages that bring costs well below sticker prices, especially for families demonstrating financial need through the FAFSA process.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings rise from $40,040 six years after enrollment to $42,786 at eight years and $45,265 at ten years, representing 13.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from 3,472 graduates in the ten-year cohort, providing reliable outcome measures. Graduates earn $3,193 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university at the 68.1st percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $34,800, demonstrating the institution's role in economic mobility for disadvantaged populations. The earnings distribution spans from $28,588 at the 25th percentile to $67,515 at the 75th percentile, indicating meaningful variation across programs and career paths.
Approximately 26.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, showing balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock admits 57.7% of applicants, meaning approximately 3 in 5 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective range, making it more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that University of Arkansas at Little Rock is more selective than typical four-year public institutions. This moderate selectivity creates opportunities for students with solid academic credentials who might face challenges at highly competitive schools.
Students should view University of Arkansas at Little Rock as a target school if their academic profile aligns with enrolled student characteristics. The admission rate suggests that qualified applicants have reasonable chances of acceptance, but students should still present strong applications demonstrating academic preparation and institutional fit.
For students building balanced college lists, this selectivity level provides a middle ground between reach schools and safety options, making it an important anchor institution for many applicants seeking quality education at an accessible level.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
176 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
25 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
50 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
36 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
67 graduates
University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers 17 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing stands out as the flagship program, ranking #94 nationally and #1 in Arkansas, producing 176 graduates with median earnings of $79,046 and a strong value score of 66.1.
Forensic Social Work ranks #63 nationally and #1 in Arkansas, graduating 36 students with median earnings of $46,872 and an exceptional value score of 67.9. Corrections Administration ranks #132 nationally but #1 in Arkansas, with 115 graduates earning $43,058.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ranks #24 nationally and #1 in Arkansas, producing 25 graduates with median earnings of $72,268. Information Science/Studies ranks #46 nationally and #1 in Arkansas, graduating 28 students with median earnings of $48,964.
These state-leading rankings across diverse fields demonstrate the university's comprehensive academic strengths.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Central Arkansas Higher acceptance rate (32.7 percentage points higher) and located 25 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 90% | $45,938 | Compare |
Henderson State University Higher acceptance rate (24.2 percentage points higher) and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 82% | $43,459 | Compare |
Ouachita Baptist University Higher acceptance rate (10.8 percentage points higher) and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 69% | $51,673 | Compare |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Higher acceptance rate (42.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | OK | 100% | $45,744 | Compare |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Higher acceptance rate (36 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | LA | 94% | $47,021 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Carolina Central University Similar quality tier (#463 ranked) | NC | 90% | $42,968 | #463 | Compare |
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#459 ranked) | PA | 79% | $61,258 | #459 | Compare |
Salisbury University Similar quality tier (#466 ranked) | MD | 89% | $61,515 | #466 | Compare |
East Central University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#456 ranked) | OK | 66% | $44,962 | #456 | Compare |
Salem State University Similar quality tier (#473 ranked) | MA | 96% | $56,662 | #473 | Compare |
