University of Arkansas College Portrait
University of Arkansas232 Silas H. Hunt Hall Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-5346 / (800) 377-8632
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas, the state’s flagship university, resides on 345 picturesque acres overlooking the Ozark Mountains. For nearly 150 years, it has been at the center of higher education in the state of Arkansas, and recently has moved to the center of higher education in the nation. Never before in the university’s history have its students and faculty been more academically accomplished, its facilities more sophisticated, or its research efforts more inclusive. All indicators of academic success are at record highs and climbing. The university’s nearly 19,000 students come from every county in Arkansas and some 100 nations, and they have nearly 200 academic programs in which to study. Through the integration of teaching, research and service that puts students first, the University of Arkansas is taking its place among the nation’s great comprehensive academies.
Living in the Arkansas Community
The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, has emerged as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world, offering a wealth of rigorous academic programs, innovative facilities, and economic and recreational opportunities that make northwest Arkansas a locale second to none.
The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, has emerged as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world, offering a wealth of rigorous academic programs, innovative facilities, and economic and recreational opportunities that make northwest Arkansas a locale second to none. The university provides nearly 200 academic programs, more than some universities twice its size. At the same time, it maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio – currently 17:1 – that makes personal attention possible. The university promotes undergraduate research in virtually every discipline and makes higher education affordable with competitively priced tuition and generous financial aid. Fayetteville is home to more than 62,000 residents, and growing every day. The city occupies the southern tip of a vibrant metroplex that comprises thenorthwest Arkansas region – one of the nation’s fastest growing economies and most livable destinations. Learn more about the academic offerings, research opportunities, public service mission and campus experience at the University of Arkansas by using the links below.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 21,405 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 17,247 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 8,355 | 48% |
| Men | 8,892 | 52% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 280 | 2% |
| Asian | 428 | 2% |
| African American / Black | 834 | 5% |
| Hispanic | 780 | 5% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 17 | <1% |
| White | 13,891 | 81% |
| Two or More Races | 372 | 2% |
| International | 573 | 3% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 72 | <1% |
| Where do UA undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | 70% |
| Other US States & Territories | 27% |
| Other Countries | 3% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are UA undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 21 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 12% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 23 - 28 | |
| Math | 22 - 28 | 520 - 640 |
| English | 22 - 30 | |
| Critical Reading | 500 - 610 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 58% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 88% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 78% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.56 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 99% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $20,464
Tuition and Fee information for 2012-13 should be available by May 2012
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend University of Arkansas varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 39% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $7,166. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 32% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,676. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
UA Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 18 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 60% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 82% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 940 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 35% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 13% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 88% |
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Campus-based Housing
89% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
30% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
The University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) dates back to 1972, when the university took action to evolve from a security detail to a full-fledged police department in order to keep pace with a new era of campus law enforcement reflective of the changing climate on college campuses nationwide.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral (no medical/veterinary)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
More Information
Student Activities and Involvement at UA
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 94% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 61% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 30% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 81% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 22% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 47% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 65% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 22% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 96% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 94% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 70% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 61% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 93% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 56% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 80% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 69% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 63% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 87% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 49% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 85% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 86% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 83% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at University of Arkansas in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,604 |
| Master's | 1,040 |
| Doctoral | 286 |
| Total | 3,930 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 7% |
| BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES | 6% |
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 5% |
| COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS | 4% |
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 4% |
| Links to degree programs at University of Arkansas |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 84% four-year success and progress rate means that 84% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
More Information
Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,379 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 710 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 83%
More Information
Student Learning at University of Arkansas
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated. In addition, those institutions participating in the VSA measure increases in critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication using one of three tests.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.