Arkansas State University Online
General Information — Arkansas State University Online
About (Overview)
Arkansas State University Online is the fully online branch and modality of Arkansas State University, which is the flagship institution of the Arkansas State University System. The online division serves students regardless of geographic location by offering flexible, fully remote degree and certificate programs. The mission of A-State Online is to extend the university’s access and impact by providing rigorous, accredited, accessible programs for working adults, remote learners, and those outside of Arkansas.
Although the online division is virtual, students enrolling in A-State Online receive the same academic standards, faculty oversight, and curricular frameworks as traditional on-campus programs. Many online offerings mirror campus-based degrees, ensuring that graduates are held to identical learning outcomes. The online modality is designed for flexibility while maintaining support infrastructure—such as advisement, tutoring, library services, and enrollment support—to ensure online learners receive full university resources. A-State has positioned its online arm as a vehicle for state and regional educational reach, contributing to the university’s reputation for expanding access across Arkansas and beyond.
Contact Information
Address (Mailing for Online Program): A-State Online, P.O. Box 2520, State University, AR 72467
Phone (Online Services): (870) 972‑2920
Email (Online Inquiries): astateonline@astate.edu
Office / Central Administration (Jonesboro Campus): Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
School Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parent Institution | Arkansas State University (public research university) |
| Founding Year (A-State) | 1909 (as First District Agricultural School) |
| Type | Public university with online degree delivery |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Institutional Motto | Educate, Enhance, Enrich (e3) |
| Colors | Scarlet & Black |
| Mascot / Nickname | Red Wolves |
| System Affiliation | Part of the Arkansas State University System |
| Online Enrollment (Spring 2024) | ~6,592 students in online courses |
| Tuition Policy | Online tuition is uniform for in-state and out-of-state students |
Arkansas State University Online Rankings
| Category | Ranking / Position |
|---|---|
| National / U.S. | Arkansas State is categorized as a “National University” by U.S. News & World Report; the online programs contribute to that status |
| Global | Not separately ranked (online division) |
| Online / Specialty | Recognized as one of the largest online enrollments in Arkansas; A-State has the largest graduate enrollment in the state |
Arkansas State University Online Academics
Arkansas State University Online Faculties / Departments
In the online model, academic organization still maps to the academic colleges of the university, but they deliver courses virtually. Departments or divisions relevant for online delivery include:
- College of Business (Online Business Programs)
- College of Education & Behavioral Science (Teacher Education, Counseling)
- College of Liberal Arts & Communication (Online humanities, social sciences)
- Department of Nursing & Health Professions (online nursing tracks)
- College of Science & Mathematics (online STEM or science electives)
- Graduate Studies / Online Graduate Programs
- Online Student Support / Advising & Tutoring
- Academic Partnerships & Distance Education Administration
Arkansas State University Online Courses and Programs / Majors
Some of the key online degree and certificate offerings include:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Online)
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (online tracks such as Agricultural Studies or GIS)
- Online education degrees (teacher licensure, master’s education)
- Nursing programs (RN to BSN, other online nursing pathways)
- Graduate degrees (master’s level programs offered fully online)
- Certificate and postgraduate certificate programs in specialized areas
- Online general education courses to support degree completion
Online Learning
Online learning at A-State is fully enabled: courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously depending on program. The platform supports digital submissions, discussion boards, virtual lectures, and remote assessments. Online students have access to the same library resources, writing center, tutoring, and student services through virtual interfaces. Academic policies are adapted for online delivery (e.g. drop/withdraw deadlines, refund schedules) to accommodate virtual course pacing and student flexibility.
Administrative documents note that students who drop courses beyond deadlines may be financially liable, and re-enrollment policies apply to reattempted courses.
Average Test Scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.)
| Test | Score Range / Notes |
|---|---|
| SAT | Not specifically required for online applicants, aligns with general University admissions |
| ACT | For on-campus freshman, 21 ACT is reported as an admission benchmark; online students may follow comparable admission standards |
| GRE | May be required for certain graduate programs (varies by department) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Arkansas State reports standard retention and graduation metrics for the university as a whole. Its classification as a doctoral research (R2) institution reflects substantial graduate-level offerings. The university publishes institutional factbooks that track return rates for first-year students, progression, and degree completions. Because online students may have different pacing, retention in the online modality may differ; however, overall institutional retention is used as a proxy.
Arkansas State University Online Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Undergraduate admission to A-State generally includes consideration of GPA and standardized test scores for first-time freshmen; an ACT score of 21 is cited among benchmarks in public descriptions. For online programs, applicants are evaluated under the same admissions criteria, although transfer students or nontraditional applicants may have modified requirements based on prior college credits.
Arkansas State University Online Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Not explicitly published for online division; A-State employs broad admission policies |
Arkansas State University Online Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the online university application and pay a nonrefundable application fee of $30. They must submit official transcripts from all prior colleges or universities (transcripts from the A-State Jonesboro campus are not required). For first-time freshmen, high school transcripts or equivalent credentials are required. Graduate applicants must meet departmental requirements (e.g. previous degree, letters of recommendation, GRE or prerequisite coursework). The admissions office reviews applications holistically and may interview or request supplemental materials where needed.
Application Process
- Complete the online application and submit $30 application fee
- Submit official transcripts from prior institutions (or high school)
- Meet any program-specific admissions criteria (e.g. prerequisites, GPA minimums)
- For graduate programs, submit additional documents (recommendations, essay, test scores)
- Receive admission decision through the online portal
- Enroll in online courses and complete registration
Arkansas State University Online Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Term / Item | Deadline / Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Varies—consult program schedule |
| Spring Semester | Varies—consult program schedule |
| Summer / Short Terms | Designated deadlines per term |
| Application Submission | Must precede course registration deadlines |
Essay Prompt
Many undergraduate or graduate programs may require a personal statement or statement of purpose. These essays typically ask applicants to outline their academic goals, professional aspirations, readiness for online learning, and how their background aligns with the program’s mission.
Arkansas State University Online Scholarships
Online students may be eligible for institutional scholarships, grants, and financial aid under the same policies as on-campus students. A-State awards merit scholarships, departmental awards, and online student-specific funds. Students are encouraged to apply early and file FAFSA (where applicable) to be considered for aid.
Arkansas State University Online Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Category | Cost / Notes |
|---|---|
| Online Undergraduate Tuition | Same rate for in-state and out-of-state students plus $50 per credit hour in fees |
| On-Campus Undergraduate Tuition (In-state) | $5,215 per semester (for 15 credit hours) |
| On-Campus Undergraduate Tuition (Out-of-state) | $9,370 per semester for 15 credit hours |
| On-Campus Graduate Tuition (In-state) | $5,029 per semester (for 12 credit hours) |
| On-Campus Graduate Tuition (Out-of-state) | $8,977 per semester |
| Additional Fees | Program-specific, graduation, and application fees |
Arkansas State University Online Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
Arkansas State’s broader student body includes diverse demographics across gender, race, age, and backgrounds. Over 80% of undergraduates are from Arkansas, and approximately 21% identify as minority students. Because the online division draws a wider geographic pool, demographic patterns for online cohorts may reflect varied age groups (adult learners, working professionals) and broader racial/ethnic distribution, though specific online demographic breakdowns are not publicly disaggregated.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
A-State supports students with financial need through grants and aid programs available to online and on-campus learners. The university also maintains disability services consistent with federal and state guidelines, extending accommodations, assistive technologies, and accessibility support to online students. Because many online students are nontraditional and may face financial challenges, these support structures are critical to retention.
Student Body
| Category | Number / Estimate |
|---|---|
| Total University Enrollment | ~17,926 (fall 2025) |
| Online Course Enrollment (Spring 2024) | ~6,592 |
University Diversity
Arkansas State fosters diversity across geographical, socioeconomic, and academic lines. The online division extends this reach globally, attracting students from outside Arkansas and even internationally, thus broadening the cultural mix. While campus-based students come predominantly from Arkansas, online cohorts may include career changers, remote residents, and professionals around the U.S. Students bring diverse life experiences, professions, ages, and motivations, enriching class discussions and peer learning. The university’s commitment to inclusion aligns with its system role in serving rural, urban, and underserved communities.
Because online learning removes physical location barriers, students from rural counties, minority populations, or those with mobility constraints have greater access. This contributes to improved educational equity and allows A-State to achieve its mission of extending access statewide and beyond.
Average Earnings
Graduates of A-State online programs earn across fields depending on their discipline—for example business graduates might enter managerial roles, education graduates into teaching or administration, and health professionals into clinical or support roles. Because many online students continue working during study, the return on investment can be realized relatively quickly. Over time, with advanced credentials or promotions, alumni may see considerable upward mobility. The university’s alignment with workforce needs and offering of applied and professional programs supports stronger employability and earning potential for online graduates.
Arkansas State University Online Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Faculty teaching online are university professors or adjuncts who deliver courses virtually. They adapt curriculum for online pedagogy, facilitate discussions, grade digital assignments, and engage students through virtual office hours. Support staff include online program coordinators, advisors, instructional designers, librarians, IT support, and student services personnel dedicated to assisting remote learners.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
Online faculty often hold terminal degrees in their disciplines and are experienced in both research and teaching. Many publish, collaborate across campuses, and develop online pedagogical innovations. Their achievements include creating digital course content, mentoring remote learners, publishing in their fields, obtaining externally funded grants, and bringing real-world industry perspectives into virtual classrooms. Some faculty lead hybrid courses or coordinate cross-campus online programs to ensure consistency and quality across modalities.
Arkansas State University Online Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Because A-State Online is virtual, online students do not reside on or frequent physical campus, and housing is not a component of the online experience. Student life for online learners centers on virtual engagement—online clubs, virtual events, webinars, discussion forums, and asynchronous collaboration. Online students may attend occasional in-person events if they are local, but the university’s focus is ensuring the virtual experience is fully supported and engaging.
Transportation
Transportation is not a factor for most online students. For those who may be local and choose to visit campus, the main Jonesboro campus is accessible by road, and parking and transit infrastructure serve the on-campus community. Internal mobility on campus is walkable among campus buildings, student unions, classrooms, and services for in-person students. Online students’ “commuting” is digital—accessing courses, library systems, advising, and resources via web platforms rather than physical travel.