University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on May 21, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~58%
- Middle 50% ACT: 16
- Middle 50% SAT: 965
- Average GPA: 3.2
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📌 University of Arkansas Pine Bluff at a Glance
- Test-optional for admission, but some scholarships still require ACT/SAT scores — skipping scores can limit your student’s merit options.
- The top scholarship (~$16,500/year) is strong for this price range, but it is not a full ride — families still need to plan for remaining costs.
- Out-of-state savings depend heavily on programs like the Academic Common Market or regional waivers — not every student will qualify.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Arkansas Pine Bluff is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 16; SAT: 965.
Average net price? About $11,649/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
Institutional scholarships PDF: https://uapb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Scholarships-List.pdf
Scholarship pullout PDF: https://uapb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Scholarships-Page-Pullout.pdf
SAFHS scholarships page: https://www.uapb.edu/academics/school-agriculture-fisheries-human-sciences/scholarships.aspx
UAPB Music & Auxiliary scholarships page: https://www.uapb.edu/academics/school-of-arts-and-sciences/music/scholarships.aspx
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $9,412 | $17,992 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $9,194 | $9,194 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $18,606 | $27,186 |
Average Federal Net Price: $11,649 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
FAQ about Discounts & Waivers
Who qualifies? Out-of-state students with sufficient GPA/test scores from eligible states, or students in ACM-approved majors may qualify for in-state tuition.
How much can you save? The Neighbors program can reduce out-of-state tuition substantially — in some cases to nearly in-state rates – depending on scholarship/waiver eligibility.
Do you need to apply? Yes — eligibility for the Neighbors or ACM waivers typically requires completion of admission, scholarship, and/or state application processes.
University COA page — https://uapb.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/tuition-and-fees/cost-of-attendance/
Scholarships & Waivers page — https://uapb.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships-and-aid/
Academic Common Market (ACM) — https://home.sreb.org/acm/
University of Arkansas System — https://uasys.edu/
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107526-University-of-Arkansas-at-Pine-Bluff
IPEDS / DataUSA profile — https://datausa.io/profile/university/university-of-arkansas-at-pine-bluff
CollegeSimply (Net Price) — https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/arkansas/university-of-arkansas-at-pine-bluff/price/
CollegeTuitionCompare (Tuition Summary) — https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/106412/university-of-arkansas-at-pine-bluff/tuition/
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UAPB awards most of its scholarships automatically when students apply for admission. Awards are based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores, and funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No separate application is required—just apply to the university before the priority deadline.
Note: Award amounts are per year and renewable up to 4 years. GPA and test score cutoffs are based on the university’s most recent scholarship grid. UAPB superscores ACT/SAT (subscore composite) for all awards. Meet the March 1 deadline for best consideration; Chancellor’s Scholarship has a Jan 1 priority window.
FAQ about Automatic Scholarships
Do I need a separate application? No. Your admissions application is also your scholarship application. Meeting the priority deadline (March 1) is essential, and the Chancellor’s tier requires admission by January 1.
Does UAPB superscore the ACT or SAT? Yes. UAPB uses your highest subscores across dates to calculate a new composite. Submit all ACT/SAT results for the highest possible award.
Are UAPB scholarships renewable? Yes, all awards are renewable up to 4 years if you meet required GPA/credit standards (see Financial Aid for specifics).
Can scholarships be combined with waivers? Sometimes; stacking rules may vary—always consult Financial Aid to clarify what can be combined.
UAPB Scholarships — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/scholarships.aspx
UAPB Freshmen Scholarships — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/freshmen_scholarships.aspx
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Unlike the automatic scholarships that come with admission, competitive awards at UAPB require extra steps such as essays, recommendations, or interviews. These are usually limited in number and go to students who stand out beyond GPA and test scores. At this time, UAPB does not publish any central, university-wide competitive scholarships outside of the automatic merit tiers.
This institution does not offer designated Competitive scholarships at this time.
FAQ about Competitive Scholarships
Does UAPB have competitive, full-ride programs? Not at this time. The major scholarships at UAPB are automatic merit awards tied to GPA and test scores.
Where should students look instead? Departmental scholarships and Honors Program awards are handled separately and will be covered in their own sections of this guide.
Is it still worth applying early? Yes. Even though there are no extra competitive programs, automatic merit funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
UAPB Scholarships Overview — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/scholarships.aspx
UAPB Freshmen Scholarships — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/freshmen_scholarships.aspx
🎖️ Honors College
UAPB’s Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program is designed for motivated students who want a more personalized academic experience. It offers smaller seminars, close faculty mentorship, and enrichment opportunities that go beyond the standard curriculum. Admission is selective, but it’s accessible to strong students who demonstrate both academic readiness and commitment.
GPA of 3.25 or higher, solid academic preparation, willingness to engage in seminars and colloquia, and leadership potential.
- Priority registration for classes
- Access to honors-only seminars and colloquia
- Book loan program to offset costs
- Opportunities for cultural events, professional meetings, and study abroad
Scholarship Connection: The Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program does not have a separate scholarship application. Instead, the same high-achieving students who qualify for the program also qualify for UAPB’s top merit awards:
- Chancellor’s Scholarship: $16,500 per year ($66,000 total) for students with a 3.75 GPA and a 28 ACT or 1310 SAT. Many recipients are also admitted into Honors.
- University Scholarship: $12,000 per year ($48,000 total) for students with a 3.5 GPA and ACT/SAT scores in the mid-20s range. Strong candidates often overlap with Honors admission.
In short, there isn’t a separate “Honors College Scholarship.” Instead, the academic bar for Honors lines up with UAPB’s most generous awards, making the program an added value on top of those scholarships.
FAQ about the Honors Program
Is admission automatic? No. Students must apply to the program and meet GPA requirements; current UAPB students can also apply after enrollment.
Does it add time to a degree? No. Honors is designed as an enrichment program and does not add extra semesters.
How do scholarships work with Honors? Honors students are usually the same students who receive UAPB’s top merit awards, like the Chancellor’s and University Scholarships.
When should students apply? The program encourages early application, ideally before or at the time of enrollment, since spaces are limited.
UAPB Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program — https://www.uapb.edu/academics/blakely-honors-program/
UAPB Merit Scholarships — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/scholarships.aspx
UAPB Freshman Scholarships — https://www.uapb.edu/admissions/freshmen_scholarships.aspx
⭐ College Specialty
If you’ve heard of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, chances are it’s because of its deep roots in agriculture and aquaculture. As Arkansas’s only public HBCU and a federally designated 1890 land-grant institution, UAPB has carved out a niche in programs that directly support the state’s industries and communities. Families looking for a school where academics connect closely to real-world careers will find those ties here.
Aquaculture & Fisheries — UAPB hosts the state’s only comprehensive program in this field, with a nationally recognized Center of Excellence supporting Arkansas’s $60+ million aquaculture industry.
- Agriculture & Human Sciences: As an 1890 land-grant university, UAPB plays a key role in agricultural research, extension, and human sciences education in Arkansas.
- STEM & Cybersecurity: Offers a B.S. in Cybersecurity and expanding computing programs to meet national workforce needs in information security.
- Music & Performing Arts: The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (band) is regionally famous and a source of scholarships and visibility for the university.
- Teacher Education: Longstanding School of Education programs prepare K-12 teachers, especially for underserved Arkansas communities.
📎 Official Links
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Homepage
- Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program
- Scholarships & Financial Aid