Southern Arkansas University Tech
Camden, AR 71701-1906
About Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public certificate and vocational school in Camden, Arkansas, enrolling about 672 students. Programs focus on certificates and workforce credentials that prepare students for skilled trades and technical careers. Typical net price after grant aid is about $9,018 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $5,040. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $36,376 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Southern Arkansas University Tech charges 9% below the national public median tuition ($5,040).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is 31% below.
- Average net price runs below the Arkansas median net price.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 62.19%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,376.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Southern Arkansas University Tech is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 908% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | $5,040 | $9,018 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Arkansas (state median) | $7,334 | $9,144 | 51 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Southern Arkansas University Tech really?
Key findings
- Southern Arkansas University Tech charges 9% below the national public median tuition ($5,040).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is 31% below.
- Average net price runs below the Arkansas median net price.
Southern Arkansas University Tech tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $5,040
Finding Southern Arkansas University Tech charges 9% below the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $5,040. That is 9% below the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Arkansas median ($7,334), sticker tuition is 31% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.4×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Southern Arkansas University Tech versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Southern Arkansas University Tech versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Southern Arkansas University Tech is $9,018.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $9,018 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $126 below the Arkansas median net price.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Southern Arkansas University Tech, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Southern Arkansas University Tech: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Southern Arkansas University Tech—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$5,040
Out-of-state tuition
$6,480
Avg. net price
$9,018
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $8,848 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,208 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $8,633 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,321 |
| $110,001+ | $17,294 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $20,160. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Southern Arkansas University Tech is known for
Top program completions
- Medical Office Management/Administration48
- Fire Science/Fire-fighting45
- Health Professions and Related Programs43
- 00.030028
- Welding Technology/Welder28
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Campus
Location
Camden, AR
City / state
- ZIP
- 71701-1906
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Size
Enrollment
672
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,135
- Full-time share
- 65%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$6,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 42.07%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southern Arkansas University Tech was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southern Arkansas University Tech in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $4,080 | $5,520 | $10,119 |
| 2014 | $4,677 | $6,117 | $8,112 |
| 2015 | $4,677 | $6,117 | $10,043 |
| 2016 | $4,677 | $6,117 | $10,451 |
| 2017 | $4,810 | $6,250 | $9,977 |
| 2018 | $4,977 | $6,417 | $13,209 |
| 2019 | $4,977 | $6,417 | $9,554 |
| 2020 | $4,571 | $6,417 | $8,042 |
| 2021 | $4,420 | $6,210 | $7,639 |
| 2022 | $4,519 | $4,519 | $4,084 |
| 2023 | $4,685 | $4,685 | $5,895 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southern Arkansas University Tech reported total enrollment of about 672 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (44.9%), Black or African American (38.1%), and Two or More Races (11.3%). About 42.07% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 52.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
65.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southern Arkansas University Tech in 2024 is 672 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,135 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
56.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
61.69% 100% Completion Time
62.19% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 61.69% of students graduating from Southern Arkansas University Tech completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Medical Office Management/Administration: 0% male / 100% female
- Fire Science/Fire-fighting: 98% male / 2% female
- Health Professions and Related Programs: 23% male / 77% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates earn a median of $36,376 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $36,376. Median federal loan debt: $6,000. Average net price used in cost models: $9,018.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates report median earnings of $36,376 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (41 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Southern Arkansas University Tech—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$1.2M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Arkansas median 0.18× the median ($6.5M)
- Southeast median 0.06× the median ($19.4M)
- U.S. median 0.05× the median ($26.4M)
- Arkansas median 0.20× the median ($7,616)
- Southeast median 0.16× the median ($9,308)
- U.S. median 0.12× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Arkansas median 37.2 pp above median (62.8%)
- Southeast median 40.6 pp above median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 42.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $4,513
- Arkansas median 0.81× the median ($5,571)
- Southeast median 0.66× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.59× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,595
- Arkansas median 1.5× the median ($6,294)
- Southeast median 1.5× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 1.3× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Southern Arkansas University Tech at a glance
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution in Camden, AR, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Medical Office Management/AdministrationFire Science/Fire-fightingHealth Professions and Related Programs
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian44.9%Black or African American38.1%Two or More Races11.3%
Schools near Southern Arkansas University Tech
Other campuses in Camden, AR when available, plus nearby institutions in Arkansas.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Arkansas, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Arkansas University Tech located?
Southern Arkansas University Tech is located in Camden, AR.
What is Southern Arkansas University Tech's tuition?
Southern Arkansas University Tech tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $5,040 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $9,018 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Southern Arkansas University Tech cost?
Reported tuition is $5,040 and average net price is $9,018 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $5,372 annually.
What explains Southern Arkansas University Tech's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($9,018), completion (62.2% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($36,376). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Southern Arkansas University Tech?
Southern Arkansas University Tech reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,135 students, White (44.9%), Black or African American (38.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southern Arkansas University Tech?
About 52.4% of students at Southern Arkansas University Tech are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn?
Median earnings are $31,841 six years after entry and $36,376 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Tech?
The 150%-time completion rate is 62.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southern Arkansas University Tech students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $6,000.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech public or private?
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution located in Camden, AR.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech an HBCU?
No. Southern Arkansas University Tech is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Southern Arkansas University Tech a tribal college?
No. Southern Arkansas University Tech is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.