Career Training Path › Arkansas › Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Camden, Arkansas · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 6415 Spellman Road, Camden, AR 71701 · Phone: (870) 574-4500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public trade school in Camden, Arkansas, offering welding, LPN/LVN, and aviation maintenance programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 62.2% completion rate versus a 57.3% state average, with median graduate debt of $6,000 and median earnings of $36,376 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 42.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,380 | $47,970 | $55,280 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $44,670 | $56,620 | $61,220 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $39,900 | $65,420 | $76,400 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,920 | $28,830 | $33,730 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,370 | $36,230 | $41,670 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,040 | $48,110 | $59,760 |
| Nursing assistants | $28,840 | $34,430 | $36,070 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,870 | $37,450 | $42,180 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $33,400 | $38,680 | $45,470 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Arkansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 29 | $31,096 | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, under 300 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | $26,794 | $29,685 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $31,096 | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public trade and career campus in Camden, Arkansas, located in a distant rural setting. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and students can use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) here because the school participates in Title IV programs. The campus offers 15 program families, with the highest-award programs being welding schools, LPN/LVN programs, and aviation maintenance (A&P) schools.
Federal data show a completion rate of 62.2%, which is near the state average of 57.3% for similar programs. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $6,000, and median earnings ten years after entry were $36,376. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 42.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students attend this campus.
Given its mix of shorter career-training programs like welding and phlebotomy alongside more technical tracks like aviation maintenance, this campus may suit both first-time students and adult career-changers looking for hands-on, occupation-focused training, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported here and should be confirmed with the school directly. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Higher Learning Commission and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling. Contacting the school directly is the best way to get current tuition, program length, and enrollment details not captured in this summary.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers 15 program families, with the largest being welding schools, LPN/LVN programs, and aviation maintenance (A&P) schools. Other listed program families include cosmetology, EMT training, HVAC, CNA classes, phlebotomy, and pharmacy tech programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 62.2%, which is near the state average of 57.3%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $6,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry were $36,376, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (870) 574-4500 or visit https://www.sautech.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-level funding, though actual costs are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and review official outcome data at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107992.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a range of shorter career-training programs, such as welding, phlebotomy, and CNA classes, alongside more technical tracks like aviation maintenance, which may suit career-changers, though specific scheduling details are not reported here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (870) 574-4500 or through its website at https://www.sautech.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in federal data; use the College Scorecard link to compare outcomes at other institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Arkansas
- South Arkansas CollegeEl Dorado, AR · 30% completion
- University of Aesthetics & CosmetologyEl Dorado, AR · 50% completion
- South Arkansas CDL Consulting LLCEl Dorado, AR
- Black River Technical CollegePocahontas, AR · 55% completion
- Arkansas State University-NewportNewport, AR · 46% completion
- University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock, AR · 36% completion
- Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR · university
- NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR · 31% completion
See all trade and career schools in Arkansas or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.