University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public university located in Little Rock, Arkansas, with an enrollment of approximately 4,949 students. It admits a majority of applicants — the acceptance rate is 58.8%, meaning more than half of those who apply are offered admission. About 41.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that a substantial share of the student body comes from lower- and middle-income households.

In-state tuition is $9,748 per year, while out-of-state students pay $22,158. The average annual net price — the total estimated cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, after grant and scholarship aid is applied — is $17,248. This figure can exceed published tuition because it reflects broader living costs, and it is an average; individual students' costs will vary based on their financial circumstances.

Among students who completed a credential and borrowed federal loans, the median federal student loan debt is $22,000. Thirty-six percent of all students take out federal loans. Of those borrowers, 57.7% are actively reducing their loan balance within three years of entering repayment — meaning roughly four in ten borrowers are not making progress on their debt during that window.

The graduation rate is 41.7%, meaning fewer than half of students who enroll earn a credential within the standard measurement period. The first-year retention rate is 76.5%, indicating that about three in four students return for a second year. Median earnings stand at $45,265 per year, measured ten years after initial enrollment. This figure covers all federally-aided students who enrolled — including those who did not complete a degree — so it is not a measure of graduate outcomes alone.

The university offers programs relevant to a range of career-focused fields. Students can pursue preparation for careers in areas such as environmental engineering, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and statistics, among others. The school also offers pathways relevant to those pursuing legal careers or postsecondary teaching roles. Adults researching career-oriented programs may find the breadth of offerings useful when evaluating whether the school aligns with their professional goals.