How to apply to the University of Arkansas for engineering: every admitted freshman can enter the College of Engineering and spends two semesters in First-Year Engineering before choosing a major in March; admission routes and prerequisites for U.S., international (including Chinese) and transfer students

At the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville campus), engineering is taught in the College of Engineering, which the catalog describes as the only comprehensive engineering program in Arkansas, with eight departments. This guide covers fall 2027 entry, based on the university’s official information, for U.S. students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Engineering majors

• Eight B.S. degrees accredited by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (2026-27 catalog): biological, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering.
• The B.S. in computer science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission and has its own guide on this site.
• Laptop: the college requires entering students to have a laptop, with minimum specifications updated each spring. Students in engineering courses pay a laboratory fee each term; the amount is not given.

2. How admission works, and prerequisites

• University admission is enough: the catalog says freshmen admitted to the Fayetteville campus are eligible to enroll in the College of Engineering; the first year builds a foundation in maths, physics and chemistry, and the sophomore to senior years concentrate on the chosen field.
• First-Year Engineering Program (FEP): all incoming engineering freshmen, and transfers who have not completed Calculus I, take the two-semester FEP and are first declared “Engineering First Year Student”. They learn about nine engineering disciplines and declare a major on Decision Day in March; afterwards students in Calculus I or higher are advised by their new department, while those still in Precalculus in spring stay with FEP. Each freshman is paired with an upperclass engineering peer mentor.
• Thresholds for declaring a major: the pages read give no GPA requirement or cap for declaring a major; ask the college.
• First-year plan (catalog): in fall, Introduction to Engineering I, Calculus I, University Chemistry I, U.S. history or government and Composition I (14 hours); in spring, Introduction to Engineering II, Calculus II, University Physics I, Technical Composition II and a freshman science elective (16 hours). Students who do not qualify to start in Calculus I have an adjusted schedule.
• AP: Honors College engineering students with AP Calculus I credit can apply for the FEP Honors Experience; the pages read do not list which engineering courses AP credit replaces.
• Extra requirement for international computer engineering applicants: the catalog says all computer engineering applicants must submit a Test of Spoken English score of at least 5.0 (or IELTS speaking 7.0) and an ACT of 25 (or SAT 1140) or above before admission.

3. Dates and application materials

• How to apply: the New Student Center or the Common App.
• Freshman dates: the application opens 15 July; the priority application deadline is 1 November (for early housing and orientation options); the priority scholarship deadline is 15 November; the final scholarship deadline is 1 February; the final fall deadline is 1 August and the final spring deadline is 15 December.
• Testing: applicants with a 3.20 high school GPA or higher (4.00 scale) are reviewed without a test score but must submit ACT, SAT, Next Generation Accuplacer or CLT scores by 1 May 2027 for placement and state reporting; those below 3.20 should submit scores when they apply. ACT or SAT scores are needed by 1 February 2027 for most merit scholarships.

4. U.S. students

• Costs (2026-27, 30 credit hours): Arkansas residents pay $8,336 in tuition and $2,580 in fees ($10,916), about $33,988 in total on campus; non-residents pay $30,604 in tuition and $2,580 in fees ($33,184), about $56,256 in total.
• New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award (NRTA): the scholarship office calls it the university’s main scholarship for non-resident students; it covers most of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition, with eligibility and amounts set by home state (the page is marked updated June 2026, effective for 2026-27), and is granted automatically to eligible admitted students with no separate application.
• Admission standards: Admissions says out-of-state applicants must meet general requirements and may face higher standards depending on demand; students who do not meet them can still apply for review by the Admissions and Appellate Board.
• State scholarships: the state requires ACT or SAT scores for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Distinguished scholarships. The engineering tuition page reminds students to file the FAFSA and notes state scholarships and grants for Arkansas residents.
• College scholarships: the catalog says college and departmental scholarships are not available to entering freshmen; students must be admitted and enrolled in the college, and one application covers all college and departmental scholarships.

5. International students

• Deadlines: 1 June for fall and 1 October for spring, with later applications processed as space allows; 1 November is the priority admissions deadline, 15 November the priority scholarship deadline and 1 February the final scholarship deadline. The fee is $65 (non-refundable), and applicants complete a Summary of Educational Experience form.
• Academics: only diplomas from schools recognised by the home ministry of education count, with coursework in science, maths, social science, humanities and language. The university recommends the SAT for international freshmen and encourages a principal’s letter stating class standing and class size.
• English (within two years): TOEFL iBT 4.0, IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 110, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge C1 Advanced 176 or iTEP 3.9; undergraduates can also use SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500 or ACT English 19. Native English speakers are exempt, and Canada is on the listed English-native countries.
• Funding: students submit the Supplemental and Financial Information form with proof of funds for all first-year costs before an I-20 is issued; the university does not lend to international students. The international cost page estimates about $56,256 a year on campus at the non-resident rate.
• Co-op: the parallel co-op course (GNEG 38001) requires 30 hours toward an engineering degree and a 2.50 GPA; F-1 students need 30 weeks of study in the U.S. and full-time enrolment in fall and spring.

6. Applicants from China

• Documents: as for all international applicants, original transcripts with an English translation certified by the school, plus the original graduation certificate with an English translation; only diplomas from ministry-recognised schools count. The international pages list no China-specific documents.
• Gaokao: the university does not publish how Gaokao results are used or what score is needed; ask international admissions (intlapp@uark.edu).
• Applicants to computer engineering also need the spoken English score and ACT 25 / SAT 1140 described in section 2.

7. Transfer students

• Admission: students with 3–23 transferable hours are “transfer freshmen” and need a 2.0 college GPA plus the freshman requirements; with 24 or more hours, a cumulative 2.0 GPA means automatic admission, and others can be reviewed by the Admissions and Appellate Board. Transfers who have not completed Calculus I also take the First-Year Engineering Program.
• Engineering credit: advanced (3000- and 4000-level) engineering courses are not normally accepted from institutions without ABET engineering or computing accreditation.
• Arkansas partnerships: Arkansas community college students can take online science, engineering and maths classes through the STEM Preparation Program at their college’s tuition rate; the college has course pathways with Crowder College, NPC, NWACC, OTC, UA-Pulaski Tech and the University of Central Arkansas, and dual-degree programs with UAPB and the University of the Ozarks where students spend about three years at their first school.
• Deadlines: for U.S. transfers, 15 December 2026 for spring 2027 and 1 August 2027 for fall 2027; international transfers follow the international deadlines in section 5.

8. Checklist

U.S. students:

• Apply by 1 November and for scholarships by 15 November; send ACT or SAT by 1 February 2027 for merit scholarships
• Out-of-state students check the NRTA eligibility map; Arkansas students prepare the ACT or SAT for state scholarships and file the FAFSA

International students (including applicants from China):

• Apply by 1 June for fall (1 November for priority); TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110; the SAT is recommended
• Send transcripts and the graduation certificate with English translations; computer engineering applicants add the spoken English score and ACT 25 / SAT 1140

All engineering freshmen:

• Start in the two-semester First-Year Engineering Program and choose a major on Decision Day in March; take Calculus I and II, chemistry and physics in the first year

Transfer students:

• 24 or more hours with a 2.0 GPA means automatic admission; advanced engineering credit must come from ABET-accredited programs
• Fall deadline 1 August; transfers without Calculus I start in First-Year Engineering

Sources: University of Arkansas, First-Year Engineering; 2026-27 catalog: College of Engineering (with first-year plan); Engineering transfer students and partner programs; Engineering tuition and aid; New freshman; Transfer admission; International undergraduate admission; English language proficiency; International cost and funding; Cost of attendance 2026-27; New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check the University of Arkansas for the latest details.