Academic Programs & Learning

Everything you need to know about the academic environment at South Arkansas College: retention, online options, and enrollment data.

What About Academic Quality at South Arkansas College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

12:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

57%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

28%

Part-time students continuing

📊

How South Arkansas College Compares

Trade colleges typically retain 50–70% of full-time students; South Arkansas College's 57% lands within that band. Solid foundations, but not a school where retention itself is the standout selling point.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 12:1 means there are approximately 12 students for every faculty member. This low ratio typically allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 21% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at South Arkansas College?

Total Teaching Staff
43
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
18%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (91%) Non-Tenure (91%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors 6
Associate Professors 2
Assistant Professors 2
Instructors & Lecturers 29
Other Instructional Staff 4

Understanding Faculty Composition

With 43 instructors, South Arkansas College supports both research-oriented and teaching-focused academic programs. The 91% tenure rate indicates a blend of experienced career faculty and newer educators.

How Successful Are Students at South Arkansas College?

Student Retention Rates

57.0%
First-Time Full-Time
Fair
28.0%
First-Time Part-Time
Needs Improvement

Retention Rate Comparison

First-Time Full-Time
57.0%

New full-time students returning for second year

First-Time Part-Time
28.0%

New part-time students returning for second year

Cohort Information

Cohort Year:2024 academic year

Student Success Analysis

Full-Time Success:57% retention rate indicates opportunities to enhance student support services.

Retention Impact: Higher retention rates indicate student satisfaction, academic success, and effective institutional support systems.

Retention rates measure how many students return each year. At South Arkansas College, 57% of students continue — a figure worth considering alongside program quality and career outcomes.

Where Do Online Students at South Arkansas College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
371
of 1,207 total (30.7%)
Some Online Courses
367
of 1,207 total (30.4%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (AR) 285 (76.8%)
Other US states 86 (23.2%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

77% of South Arkansas College's exclusively online students are located in AR. An additional 23% study from other US states.

What Is the Academic Load at South Arkansas College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

842
Total FTE
842
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:69.8% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

The FTE calculation at South Arkansas College provides a normalized enrollment figure — useful for understanding how many students are engaged on a full-time basis.

How Intensively Do Students Study at South Arkansas College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

69.8%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate

A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.

Undergraduate FTE
842
Total FTE
842
Headcount
1,207

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

At South Arkansas College, the FTE-to-headcount ratio is 0.70, which indicates how many students are attending full-time versus part-time.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact South Arkansas College directly at 8708628131 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 supports personalized learning
  • 43 instructional staff with 91% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students from AR and beyond (23% out-of-state)
  • Strong retention rates demonstrate student satisfaction and academic support

Ready to Learn More About Academics at South Arkansas College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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