Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Little Rock, Arkansas
57.7% Acceptance Rate
University of Arkansas at Little Rock — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
57.7%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1049Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$21,013Annual Cost
$45,265Grad Salary
41.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
57.7%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1049
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
890–1170
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Avg Net Price
$16,136
Need-Based Aid
41.1% receive Pell
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, established in 1927, is a metropolitan research university with strengths in law, information science, and health professions.
The 250-acre campus includes the William H. Bowen School of Law, the Emerging Analytics Center, and the Donaghey Student Center. UA Little Rock's urban location provides extensive internship and research partnerships.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Acceptance Rate
University of Arkansas at Little Rock takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 57.7% each year.
What UA Little Rock Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 57.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Arkansas at Little Rock is August 17 for Priority applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 18 days left — Priority
Priority
August 17
Priority (International)
November 15
Priority
January 12
Priority (International)
July 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UA Little Rock GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UA Little Rock is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.62–3.82.UA Little Rock GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No supplemental essay required for general admission - only Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and select competitive majors require one
- Test-optional with rolling admissions
- Transfer students can bring up to 64 credit hours from a two-year institution, with no stated cap from a four-year institution
- Institutional mission explicitly centers working professionals and first-generation college students
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UA Little Rock
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Arkansas at Little Rock's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UA Little Rock is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UA Little Rock Without SAT or ACT?
UA Little Rock requires SAT or ACT scores — applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Average SAT Score: 1049
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 1049 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1049 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Arkansas at Little Rock allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 890, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UA Little Rock. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 520 | 440 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 510 | 450 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1049 | 890 | 1170 |
Below 890, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of UA Little Rock's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UA Little Rock is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UA Little Rock's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UA Little Rock.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UA Little Rock
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UA Little Rock is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Know no supplemental essay is required for general admission
This changes only if you're applying to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program or certain competitive majors, which have their own separate application and essay requirements.
Budget real extra time if applying to Donaghey Scholars
It requires a distinct application with essays on top of your general UALR application, offering smaller classes and direct faculty research opportunities in return.
Frame any personal statement around UALR's working-student mission
Admissions officers respond to demonstrated maturity and time-management experience - balancing work, family, and school - more than a typical traditional-student narrative.
Know your transfer credit ceiling depends on your origin school
Up to 64 credit hours transfer from a two-year institution, with no stated limit from an accredited four-year school - plan your transfer timing accordingly if coming from a community college.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes submit a generic personal statement modeled on traditional four-year college essays - UALR's population skews toward working adults and non-traditional learners, so an essay ignoring real-world responsibilities can undersell a genuinely strong candidate.
UA Little Rock Profile
Full Name
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock)
City
Little Rock
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
72204
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a UA Little Rock Degree Worth It?
At $21,013/year against a $45,265 median graduate salary, UA Little Rock is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $51,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.63%.
How much does a degree from UA Little Rock Cost?
The sticker price is $21,013/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $16,136.
41.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 37.7% take federal loans at UA Little Rock — file your FAFSA early and list UA Little Rock as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UA Little Rock Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,265 — about 12% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Arkansas at Little Rock. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Arkansas at Little Rock. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Arkansas at Little Rock. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UA Little Rock
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UA Little Rock Admissions
Median earnings for University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates sit around $45,265 a year.
At about $21,013 a year, University of Arkansas at Little Rock is on the more affordable end.
About 41.1% receive a Pell Grant at University of Arkansas at Little Rock — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 57.7%, University of Arkansas at Little Rock's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Arkansas at Little Rock average a 3.42 GPA.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.12 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.02, University of Arkansas at Little Rock becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Arkansas at Little Rock — aim above 1049, ideally within the 890–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Arkansas at Little Rock is August 17 for Priority applicants.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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