- Southern Arkansas University Tech, a comprehensive two-year college of the Southern Arkansas University system. SAU Tech offers a variety of associate degree and certificate programs designed for students who plan to enter the workforce, transfer to a university, or upgrade their skills in a specific area. Classes are conveniently scheduled and many of the courses are offered via the Internet, allowing even more flexibility in scheduling.
School Highlights
Southern Arkansas University Tech serves 991 students (44% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is lower than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 38%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 991 students
- In-state tuition: $4,677
- Out-state tuition: $6,117
- Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
- Minority enrollment: 47%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Southern Arkansas University Tech ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Completion Rates
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 64 teachers has declined by 47% over five years.
Southern Arkansas University Tech
(AR) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1968
Total Faculty
64 staff
61 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Southern Arkansas University Tech has grown by 28% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Southern Arkansas University Tech diversity score of 0.58 is more than the state average of 0.57. The school's diversity has grown by 26% over five years.
Total Enrollment
991 students
1,285 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
22:1
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Full-Time Students
440 students
440 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Students
551 students
845 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Enrollment Undergraduate
991 students
1,308 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
440 students
440 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
551 students
860 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
160 students
160 students
% Hispanic
4%
12%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Black
36%
17%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% White
53%
62%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Two or more races
7%
4%
Diversity Score
0.58
0.57
Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
63%
38%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$39,702
$38,042
Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $4,677 is more than the state average of $2,994. The in-state tuition has grown by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,117 is more than the state average of $4,750. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,677
$2,994
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,117
$4,750
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
96%
92%
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Debt for Graduates
$5,500
$9,673
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,500
$5,300
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Southern Arkansas University Tech is a two-year college specializing in technical training and offers the first two years of a university transfer program. In addition to offering traditional classroom courses, SAU Tech offers a number of internet courses. The college has a large enrollment in its high school dual credit program. The college also operates the SAU Tech Career Academy, the Ouachita & Calhoun County Adult Education Centers, the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, and the Arkansas Environmental Academy. Southern Arkansas University Tech, Camden was created on April 5, 1967, as Southwest Technical Institute by Act 534 of the General Assembly of Arkansas. The purpose of the institute was to provide a technically trained workforce for the growing Highland Industrial Park where it was located. Seventy acres of land and six buildings were donated by the Brown Foundation of Houston, Texas which had purchased the Schumacher Naval Ammunition Depot for use as Highland Industrial Park. SAU Tech operates the Arkansas Fire Training Academy providing training to firefighters throughout the state as well as the Arkansas Environmental Academy, which also has a statewide mission of training individuals in the fields of wastewater and solid waste issues. The SAU Tech Career Academy provides a variety of career-technical education programs to high school students in our area and operates in conjunction with our high school concurrent credit programs. SAU Tech provides adult basic education and GED preparation through Ouachita & Calhoun County's Adult Education Center. Our Business and Industry Training Department provides customized training for the area companies. Southern Arkansas University Tech is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Southern Arkansas University Tech cost?
Southern Arkansas University Tech's tuition is approximately $4,677 for In-State students and $6,117 for Out-State students.
What is Southern Arkansas University Tech's ranking?
Southern Arkansas University Tech ranks among the top 20% of community college in Arkansas for: Highest completion rates and Least debt for graduating students.
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