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#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

Arkansas Admission Requirements

Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Your chances of getting into University of Arkansas

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.9%
Admission Difficulty for University of Arkansas
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Arkansas is 78.9%.  Its admission rate is the 15th lowest in Arkansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Arkansas and can you get accepted?

University of Arkansas is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 20,695 out of the 26,219 who applied were admitted.

University of Arkansas typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.74. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 34% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Arkansas?

79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Arkansas you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.74 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1130 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Arkansas GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.74

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Arkansas?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Arkansas are to have around a 3.74 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.74 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Arkansas accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Arkansas is 3.74 on the 4.0 scale. 27% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Arkansas is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Arkansas students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 27.46% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.42% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 22.78% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.36% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 6.89% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.06% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.03% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Arkansas SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Arkansas. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 31% of students submitted SAT scores and 75% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1030-1220

Applicants Submitting SAT 

31%
SAT Scores for University of Arkansas
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1030
SAT Scores for University of Arkansas
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1220
Average SAT Score 1130

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Arkansas?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Arkansas is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1030-1220. Students who get into University of Arkansas score in the top 55 percent of all SAT test takers..  Arkansas ranks #4 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Arkansas regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1030 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1030, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Arkansas is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1125, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1220 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

University of Arkansas admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >88%
1125 to 1220 Avg + 79%-88%
1030 to 1125 Avg - 66%-79%
935 to 1030 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 935 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

Arkansas ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

75%
ACT Scores for University of Arkansas
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for University of Arkansas
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Arkansas?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Arkansas is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #3 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 75 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Arkansas.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Arkansas is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Arkansas for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 28 ACT score.

University of Arkansas admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >89%
24 to 28 Avg + 79%-89%
21 to 24 Avg - 68%-79%
18 to 21 Reach 56%-68%
Less than 18 Low <56%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

51% of University of Arkansas freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Arkansas students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 25%
Top 25% of class 51%
Top 50% of class 83%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Arkansas admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 15,253 10,966 26,219
Accepted 12,297 8,398 20,695
Acceptance Rate 81% 77% 79%
Enrolled 3,933 3,166 7,099
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 32% 38% 34%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

233

Applicants have 233 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Arkansas is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Arkansas and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Arkansas Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Arkansas
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Arkansas is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.74 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1130 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Arkansas often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=106397 IPEDS survey data for University of Arkansas.

Last updated February 24, 2024