Why A-State
Six reasons — each one with a number you can check
Choosing a US university is a big family decision. Instead of slogans, this page gives you figures verified against astate.edu so you can compare A-State with your other options yourself.
17,926
Students (record, Fall 2025)
150+
Degree programs
70+
Countries represented
R2
Carnegie research university
Source: astate.edu — About A-State · astate.edu — Academics · Updated Aug 22, 2026
A-State
Six reasons students choose A-State
A genuine public research university
A-State is a Carnegie R2 research university with 9 colleges and more than 150 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. At 17,926 students (Fall 2025 — a record enrollment) it is big enough for a full range of majors and facilities, and small enough that professors know your name.
Internationally recognized program accreditation
Business is AACSB-accredited (fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide), Engineering is ABET-accredited, Nursing is ACEN-accredited with a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023–24, and Education is CAEP-accredited. The new College of Veterinary Medicine opened in August 2026. Your degree is recognized wherever you work or study next.
Below the US average — and transparent
Total cost for an international undergraduate in 2026–27 (12 credits per term) is estimated from about $29,646 a year including tuition, fees, housing, meals and insurance. The $3,000-per-year international scholarship is automatic at a 3.25 GPA. Every figure is published on astate.edu.
A real international community
More than 1,200 international students from over 70 countries study at A-State, with a dedicated international office, a separate orientation week, shuttles to Asian grocery stores and a Vietnamese student community ready to meet you at Memphis airport.
A safe campus in a mid-sized city
Jonesboro is a college town of about 80,000 in northeast Arkansas. The university police operate 24/7, with more than 1,100 cameras, emergency call boxes, free night escorts and the A-State Alerts system that parents can register for.
An official office in Vietnam
You are not dealing alone with a university 14,000 km away. The admissions office (VNIS) is A-State’s authorized recruiter: free advising in Vietnamese, direct submission to the university, visa interview practice and a parent hotline for the whole time you study.
Source: astate.edu — About A-State · astate.edu — Tuition & Fees (International) · astate.edu — International Scholarships · Updated Aug 22, 2026
Accreditation
Accreditation and recognition
HLC
Institution-wide regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission since 1928.
AACSB
Neil Griffin College of Business — the leading global business accreditation.
ABET
Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering programs.
ACEN · 100% NCLEX
Nursing: ACEN-accredited with a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023–24.
CAEP
Teacher education and education programs.
CEA
English Language Academy — accredited through December 2027.
Source: astate.edu — Academics · astate.edu — About A-State · Updated Aug 22, 2026
Compare
Compare A-State with your other options
When you weigh up another university, ask these questions: Is it a research university (R1/R2)? Does your program hold specialist accreditation (AACSB, ABET, ACEN, CAEP)? What is the first-year total including housing, meals and insurance? How many international students are there, and is there a support office in Vietnam? For A-State, the answers to all four are on this page — with sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is A-State a “top” university?
A-State is a Carnegie R2 public research university and is classified among national universities by US News. What matters more for employment is program accreditation: AACSB for business, ABET for engineering, ACEN for nursing — these are the standards employers look for. See the Rankings page for details.
What is there in Jonesboro besides the university?
Jonesboro is Arkansas’s fifth-largest city with about 80,000 people, two hospitals, shopping centers and an Asian grocery store. Memphis is an hour away for the international airport and weekend entertainment. The cost of living is below the US average.
Are there many Vietnamese students at A-State?
A-State hosts more than 1,200 international students from over 70 countries, including a growing Vietnamese community. Our admissions team connects you with current students so you can ask about their experience before you go.
Is an A-State degree recognized in Vietnam?
A-State is regionally accredited by the HLC — the highest level of accreditation in the US system. Its degrees are recognized in Vietnam under current rules on foreign qualifications; the office can guide you through the recognition process if needed.
Does the new College of Veterinary Medicine admit international students?
The College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed its first class in August 2026. International eligibility and tuition for this program have not been fully published — contact the office to confirm.
Ready to study in the USA at A-State?
Book a free 1-on-1 session with our admissions team — pathway, scholarships, documents and visa in one meeting.