Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Little Rock, Arkansas 57.7% Acceptance Rate

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 ualr.edu/www/

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 is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 57.7%. This means that 58 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

  • Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
  • Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Selectivity Meter
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

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

UA Little Rock GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at UA Little Rock is 3.42. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.

A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.

Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.62-3.82 for this same academic profile.

If your GPA is between 3.12 and 3.42, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.

UA Little Rock GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.

Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.

Admissions at UA Little Rock utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.42, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.

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

Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics

  • The Rigor Metric: At UA Little Rock, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
  • The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.

Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board 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

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into UA Little Rock Without SAT or ACT?

University of Arkansas at Little Rock requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test multiple times to improve their scores.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Average SAT Score: 1049

The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 1049 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

University of Arkansas at Little Rock SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1049 — Accessible

This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1049 on the SAT.

SAT Math
520
SAT Reading
510
Composite
1049
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Arkansas at Little Rock allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 890, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UA Little Rock. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for University of Arkansas at Little Rock
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math520440600
SAT Reading510450570
SAT Composite10498901170

It means that if you have scored less than 890 then you are below most of the admitted students at UA Little Rock and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1170 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

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?

With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) are good but the admission staff at UA Little Rock tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at UA Little Rock is 21.

ACT Competitiveness

University of Arkansas at Little Rock ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive

This score makes University of Arkansas at Little Rock less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 21 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for University of Arkansas at Little Rock
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math201623
ACT English211724
ACT Composite211823

Can I get into University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a 23 ACT?

A 23 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Arkansas at Little Rock — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Arkansas at Little Rock use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Arkansas at Little Rock — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Arkansas at Little Rock uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 23 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 21

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UA Little Rock

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

UA Little Rock is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.

Consistency over Perfection

Prove you can handle a college curriculum by maintaining a steady or upward GPA trend. One or two lower grades won't be a dealbreaker if you've improved since.

Placement Validation

Use the SAT or ACT to exempt yourself from non-credit remedial courses. A solid score here saves you time and tuition money once you enroll.

Practical Leadership

Highlight work experience, family responsibilities, or community service. These schools value 'grit' and real-world maturity.

FAFSA & Deadlines

At schools with higher acceptance rates, the 'win' is financial. Submit your FAFSA and local scholarship apps as early as possible to maximize your aid package.

Next Step: Review the specific 'Pre-Professional' tracks at UA Little Rock to ensure your high school electives align with your intended major.

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?

Getting into UA Little Rock can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. UA Little Rock offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.

Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at UA Little Rock is $51,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.63%.

How much does a degree from UA Little Rock Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at University of Arkansas at Little Rock is $21,013. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Arkansas at Little Rock is $16,136.

41.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 37.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UA Little Rock and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At University of Arkansas at Little Rock, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UA Little Rock as your choice in the form.

How much does a UA Little Rock Graduate earn?

The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $45,265. An average UA Little Rock graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.

$21,013Annual Cost
$16,136Net Price
41.1%Pell Grant
37.7%Federal Loan
$45,265Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

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.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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
Same Competitive

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.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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

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.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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

Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Arkansas at Little Rock →

Frequently Asked Questions About UA Little Rock Admissions

Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $45,265 annually, especially in non-technical fields.

The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $21,013 per year, making it more affordable for many students.

41.1% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.

The acceptance rate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 57.7% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.

The average GPA of admitted students is 3.42. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.

While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.12, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.12, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.

If your GPA is 3.02 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.

While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.42, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.

Admission to University of Arkansas at Little Rock is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1049 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 890–1170.

Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.

To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.

Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026

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Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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