Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Arkansas #221 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $68,890 four years after enrollment, placing University of Arkansas in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Accounting #68 nationally for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level anchor that reflects University of Arkansas's dominant concentration in business and applied professional fields. University of Arkansas earn about $1,000 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #353 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with the institution's business-led program mix and Fayetteville labor-market access contributing to outcomes that hold up well relative to cost.
Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #221 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Fayetteville, AR, University of Arkansas enrolls roughly 28,677 undergraduates. Retention stands at 86.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 70.5%, reflecting solid degree-completion performance for a large research institution. Where University of Arkansas performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #353 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $68,890, and graduates earn about $1,000 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Arkansas in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Business, which anchors much of the university's degree output and shapes its overall earnings profile. The composite is balanced by access and affordability. University of Arkansas admits about 74.3% of applicants, and 17.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants while 26.0% are first-generation college students. University of Arkansas sits in the 68.4 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions and the 61.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility sits in the 89.2 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families weighing cost against long-term payoff, the return-on-investment strength is the clearest signal in the data.
The University of Arkansas prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $14,319 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $15,934, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $22,470. Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #553 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between the published cost of attendance of $27,767 and what most families actually pay reflects the university's need-based and merit aid programs, which together reduce the sticker price substantially for qualifying students — a dynamic the net price illusion analysis explores in detail. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The University of Arkansas participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and the spread between low- and middle-income net prices suggests that need-based aid is doing meaningful work for the lowest-income families. Arkansas residents also benefit from in-state tuition structures that keep costs below what comparable out-of-state students would pay at peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,086; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $68,890, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Arkansas is a strong fit for students drawn to business, applied sciences, and professional fields who want a public research university experience in Fayetteville, AR, with a program mix oriented toward career-ready outcomes. Graduates earn about $1,000 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Arkansas in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates also earn median 4-year earnings of $68,890, placing University of Arkansas in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad: 17.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.0% are first-generation students, and University of Arkansas sits in the 71.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Median student debt at graduation is $21,500, which is a realistic constraint to weigh alongside the earnings trajectory. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, and higher-income families should note that net price at the upper end reaches $22,470 annually.
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
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Arkansas hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Arkansas prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $14,319 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $15,934, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $22,470.
Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #553 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between the published cost of attendance of $27,767 and what most families actually pay reflects the university's need-based and merit aid programs, which together reduce the sticker price substantially for qualifying students — a dynamic the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) analysis explores in detail.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The University of Arkansas participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and the spread between low- and middle-income net prices suggests that need-based aid is doing meaningful work for the lowest-income families.
Arkansas residents also benefit from in-state tuition structures that keep costs below what comparable out-of-state students would pay at peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,086; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $68,890, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Arkansas earn median earnings of $68,890 four years after enrollment, placing University of Arkansas in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $1,000 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 53.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Arkansas #353 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern at University of Arkansas reflects a Business-leaning program mix — Business accounts for 29% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 10% and Social Sciences at 6%. Business Administration combines large cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a central driver of the university's overall return profile.
Azimuth ranks Business Administration #84 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 405 graduates earning median earnings of $79,770 four years after enrollment. The Finance program graduates 351 students with median earnings of $87,717, and Azimuth ranks the program #60 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Among the highest-earning fields, Digital Marketing graduates earn median earnings of $73,153 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #80 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions, while Nursing posts median earnings of $84,911 with Azimuth ranking it #167 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Nevada-Reno Similar quality tier in Southwest (#7012 ranked) | NV | 74% | $60,614 | #7012 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Similar quality tier (#5471 ranked) | WI | 91% | $54,990 | #5471 | Compare |
James Madison University Similar quality tier (#5469 ranked) | VA | 72% | $69,954 | #5469 | Compare |
University Of Louisville Similar quality tier (#5467 ranked) | KY | 79% | $53,899 | #5467 | Compare |
Rowan University Similar quality tier (#7527 ranked) | NJ | 78% | $59,988 | #7527 | Compare |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
24 graduates
Computer Engineering
25 graduates
Industrial Engineering
61 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics
48 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
45 graduates
University of Arkansas's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 29% of degree output, followed by Engineering at 10% and Social Sciences at 6%. The combination of applied-business and health fields gives the university a workforce-oriented profile, with most of its largest programs feeding directly into regional and national employer pipelines.
Business Administration is the largest program with 405 graduates, followed by Finance (351 graduates), Digital Marketing (342 graduates), Nursing (269 graduates), and Communication and Media Studies (226 graduates). The strongest earnings come from specialized fields.
Azimuth ranks Finance #60 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $87,717. Azimuth ranks Nursing #167 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $84,911, and Azimuth ranks Mechanical Engineering #176 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $84,464.
Business Administration combines strong enrollment scale with median earnings of $79,770. Programs like Accounting (median earnings of $84,097) represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly.
The supply-demand map provides context for how University of Arkansas's dominant program families align with national wage trends across 66 programs serving roughly 5,295 students annually.
