Arkansas State University (A-State) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Arkansas State University Acceptance Rate

Arkansas State University is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Arkansas State University is 69.7%. This means that 70 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

Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.7% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.66 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.46 – 3.65

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.21

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.

A-State GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at A-State is 3.66. A-State is highly selective.

Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.36 and 3.66, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at A-State

Arkansas State University (A-State) 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 A-State Without SAT or ACT?

Arkansas State University Average SAT Score: 1119

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Arkansas State University is 1119 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1119 — Less Competitive

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1119 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at A-State. 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

It means that if you have scored less than 1030 then you are below most of the admitted students at A-State and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1180 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 1100

Can I get into Arkansas State University (A-State) with a 1200 SAT?

With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Arkansas State University (A-State) are good but the admission staff at A-State 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.

Arkansas State University (A-State) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at A-State is 22.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes Arkansas State University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 22 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Arkansas State University with a 25 ACT?

A 25 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Arkansas State University — 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 Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University — 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 Arkansas State University 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 25 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 22

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for A-State

A-State Profile

Is a A-State Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Arkansas State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Auburn University at Montgomery	Montgomery, AL	1090	21
Spring Hill College	Mobile, AL	1090	22
Troy University	Troy, AL	1086	22
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, AZ	1095	22
University of the Ozarks	Clarksville, AR	1088	21
Pacific Union College	Angwin, CA	1093	22
Fort Lewis College	Durango, CO	1084	20
Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction, CO	1070	23
University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, CO	1077	22
Central Connecticut State University	New Britain, CT	1091	24

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Arkansas State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of South Alabama	Mobile, AL	1119	23
Tuskegee University	Tuskegee, AL	1121	22
University of Central Arkansas	Conway, AR	1117	22
University of La Verne	La Verne, CA	1116	22
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	Denver, CO	1119	24

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Arkansas State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Birmingham-Southern College	Birmingham, AL	1197	24
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	1174	25
Harding University	Searcy, AR	1187	25
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa, CA	1155	22
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, CA	1194	26

Degree Programs at A-State

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Arkansas State University →

Frequently Asked Questions About A-State Admissions