Arkansas State University-Newport: A Comprehensive Overview

Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) is a comprehensive, two-year accredited college providing college transfer and career and technical education to students throughout northeast Arkansas. The institution is dedicated to providing quality education and fostering student success.

History and Evolution

Originally established as White River Vocational-Technical School in 1973, ASUN was created to provide technical training and educational opportunities to the residents of Jackson County and surrounding areas. This was made possible by Act 227 of 1973. In 1991, the legislature passed Act 1244, converting vocational-technical schools into two-year colleges. Consequently, White River Vocational-Technical School became White River Technical College.

In the following year, it became a satellite of Arkansas State University-Beebe and was renamed ASU Beebe/Newport. The campus was renamed again in 1997, becoming Arkansas State University-Newport. In 2002, it gained stand-alone status.

This independence was contingent upon three key elements: the creation of a chancellor position as chief executive officer (filled in 2001 by the hiring of Dr. Larry Williams), the construction of a multi-million-dollar classroom facility, and the establishment of a foundation to support the college.

ASUN was named by Community College Week magazine as one of the top ten fastest-growing public two-year colleges in 2005. The institution has observed tremendous growth in both facilities and enrollment. Under Williams’s tenure, the institution grew from approximately a forty-acre campus to just over 130 acres. In addition, facilities were dramatically expanded.

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Campus and Setting

Arkansas State University-Newport is located in a rural setting. The campus provides an environment conducive to study and personal growth.

Facilities Expansion

In 2004, ground was broken on a Student Community Center, which houses the offices of student affairs, business offices, admissions, a bookstore, food service, and several community conference and meeting rooms. By 2005, the institution continued expansion with the addition of classroom facilities on the truck-driving ranges and the addition of a grant-funded program in career pathways. In addition, a major expansion of Samuel Moore Walton Hall began with a renaming of the library to the Harryette M. Hodges and Kaneaster Hodges Sr. Library, along with the addition of the Doyle and Josephine Raye Rogers Conference and Reading Room.

Navigate in 8 Initiative

Arkansas State University-Newport launched its “Navigate in 8” initiative, which gives students the opportunity to complete core general education courses in just eight weeks at the Newport campus.

Academics and Programs

ASUN currently offers approximately thirty associate degrees (AA, AAS), technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency in a variety of fields. Degrees are offered in both online and traditional formats.

Enrollment and Student-Faculty Ratio

The school utilizes a semester-based academic year. The student-faculty ratio is 13-to-1. As of 2023, Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) had a total enrollment of 1,732 students. The full-time enrollment is 679 students, while the part-time enrollment is 1,053. This indicates that 39.2% of students are enrolled full-time.

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Open Admissions and Credit for Life Experiences

The school has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences.

Popular Programs

Popular programs include:

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

Specific Program Overviews

Culinary Arts (Jonesboro campus): Provides foundational training in culinary techniques and kitchen management. The program covers essential skills such as knife handling, cooking methods, and food safety. Students learn to prepare a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The curriculum includes courses on nutrition, menu planning, and cost control. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the culinary industry, such as line cooks, prep cooks, or kitchen assistants.
Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Teaches the skills needed for today’s manufacturing facilities and machine shops. Students receive hands-on experience in computer numerically controlled machines, computer-aided design and drafting, and machining.
High Voltage Lineman Technology: Prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills needed to install, repair, service, and maintain electrical power lines and supporting equipment. The program includes instruction in AC/DC electrical theory, safety, transformers, tools, material, testing equipment, pole framing, and bucket and digger derrick trucks. The program also includes instruction in the construction, maintenance, and troubleshooting of underground electrical systems.
Surgical Technology: Equips students with the specialized skills needed to step confidently into the fast-paced environment of the operating room. From setting up sterile fields to anticipating the needs of the surgical team, students learn to perform critical roles that ensure the safety and well-being of surgical patients. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

List of Programs

ASUN offers a variety of programs including:

Technical Certificate Agriculture Operations
Associate of Applied Science Agriculture Technology
Certificate of Proficiency Agronomy
Technical Certificate Business Management & Supervision
Certificate of Proficiency Business Management & Supervision
Associate of Applied Science Business Management & Supervision
Associate of Science Business
Certificate of Proficiency Certified Nursing Assistant
Certificate of Proficiency Commercial Truck Driving
Certificate of Proficiency Corrections
Associate of Applied Science Crime Scene Investigation
Certificate of Proficiency Crime Scene Investigation
Technical Certificate Crime Scene Investigation
Associate of Science Criminal Justice
Technical Certificate Criminal Justice
Certificate of Proficiency Criminal Justice
Technical Certificate Diesel Technology
Certificate of Proficiency Early Childhood Development
Technical Certificate Early Childhood Development
Associate of Science Education
Certificate of Proficiency Emergency Medical Technician
Associate of Arts General Education
Certificate of General Studies General Studies
Associate of Applied Science General Technology
Associate of Applied Science High Voltage Lineman Technology
Technical Certificate High Voltage Lineman Technology
Certificate of Proficiency Information Communication Technology
Associate of Applied Science Law Enforcement Administration
Technical Certificate Law Enforcement Administration
Certificate of Proficiency Law Enforcement Administration
Associate of Applied Science Liberal Arts and Sciences
Certificate of Proficiency Medication Assistant Certified
Associate of Science Natural Sciences
Associate of Applied Science Nursing (LPN to RN Transition Pathway)
Associate of Applied Science Nursing (RN) - Traditional Pathway
Certificate of Proficiency Patient Care Technician
Certificate of Proficiency Phlebotomy
Technical Certificate Practical Nursing
Certificate of Proficiency Pre-Health Professions
Technical Certificate Pre-Health Professions
Associate of Applied Science Radiologic Technology
Associate of Applied Science Surgical Technology
Certificate of Proficiency Teaching
Technical Certificate Teaching
Certificate of Proficiency Truck Service and Maintenance
Certificate of Proficiency Welding Fundamentals

Student Life

Ethnicity Distribution (Fall 2022)

The ethnicity distribution of students is diverse:

Black or African American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

Gender and Age Distribution (Fall 2022)

Under 18: 22%
18-24: 50%
25-64: 28%
Over 65: 0%

Campus Info and Services (Fall 2022)

Credit for life experiences: Yes
Academic/career counseling service: Yes

Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees

In-state tuition and fees: $2,856

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Out-of-state tuition and fees: $4,320

There is no application fee.

Financial Aid

At Arkansas State University-Newport, 70 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $3,919.

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) is $2,568, which is $−5,685 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,253).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $8,563.

In 2023, 75% of undergraduate students attending Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 48% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Other Student Expenses

The average yearly cost of room and board at Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) was of $8,392 in 2023. The cost of room and board did not change between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $600. The cost of books and supplies increased by 9.49% during the same period.

Outcomes and Demographics

Graduates

In 2023, 1,212 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Arkansas State University-Newport (440402). 59.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.7% awarded men.

The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (790 degrees), 3.22 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (245 degrees).

Time to Complete

In 2023, 39% of students graduating from Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.

Operations and Finances

Endowment

Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) has an endowment valued at nearly $2.78M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 137k (4.92%) compared to the 7.3% average return (423k on 5.8M) across all Associates Colleges.

Salary Expenditure

In 2023, Arkansas State University-Newport (440402) had a total salary expenditure of 24M.

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