Campus Safety at A-State: The Questions Parents Ask Most

Almost every parent considering A-State for their son or daughter asks some version of the same question: is the campus safe? It is a fair question, and the Vietnam Office believes the best answer is data, not reassurance alone. Here is what parents should know about A-State's police department, safety infrastructure, and the city of Jonesboro where the campus is located.

What the Clery Act numbers actually show

Under US federal law (the Clery Act), every college or university that receives federal financial aid must publish annual crime statistics for its campus. This requirement exists precisely so families can compare safety across institutions using consistent, publicly reported data rather than impressions. Here is A-State's on-campus data for the three most recent years available:

Category	2022	2023	2024
Murder	0	0	0
Rape	5	5	7
Robbery	0	1	0
Aggravated assault	not separately reported	not separately reported	3
Burglary	1	15	3
Motor-vehicle theft	1	6	1
Hate crimes (all categories)	0	0	0

Across all three years, A-State reported zero murders and zero hate crimes on campus. The most common category by far is burglary—largely tied to unlocked dorm rooms rather than violent crime—and the 2023 spike in that category is a useful reminder to talk with your student about locking doors, not a sign the campus has become unsafe. Because Clery data is updated annually, parents should confirm the latest published figures with the Vietnam Office or the university's safety page before making a final decision.

Round-the-clock protection on campus

A-State's University Police Department (UPD) operates 24 hours a day and is state-certified—meaning officers are fully sworn police with arrest authority, not contracted security guards. Beyond the officers on patrol, the campus is equipped with:

• More than 1,100 security cameras placed throughout campus;
• Blue-light emergency boxes located across campus that connect directly to UPD at the push of a button;
• A free safety escort service for students walking on campus at night;
• The A-State Alerts system, which sends text and email notifications for emergencies or weather-related closures.

One feature worth setting up before your student even arrives: A-State Alerts allows each student to register up to three phone numbers. That means parents in Vietnam can receive the same emergency notification their student does, in real time, regardless of time zone. UPD can be reached at +1 870-972-2093, a number worth saving in both the student's and the parents' phones.

Campus versus the city of Jonesboro

It is worth separating the campus statistics above from the broader city of Jonesboro. Jonesboro is Arkansas's fifth-largest city, with a population of roughly 80,650—large enough to offer full amenities but far smaller and less dense than a major metropolitan area. The cost-of-living index in Jonesboro is about 86.9, below the US national average, and the city has two hospitals serving residents and students alike.

For context on distance, Memphis is about a one-hour drive, Little Rock about two hours, and Nashville or St. Louis about four hours. City-wide crime figures fall outside the scope of the Clery Act report described above; parents who want a fuller picture of citywide safety should confirm current figures directly with the Vietnam Office.

Practical habits worth discussing before departure

• Save the UPD number (+1 870-972-2093) and register for A-State Alerts during the first week on campus;
• Lock the dorm room door every time, even for a quick errand;
• Use the blue-light boxes or request a safety escort when returning late, especially after evening library hours;
• Ride the free on-campus GOJO bus instead of walking alone at night;
• Connect early with the Multicultural Center and international student organizations to build a support network, particularly in the first semester.

Safety policies, technology, and reported statistics can change from year to year, so families should verify the most current information before their student enrolls.

Talk to International Admissions

If you have further questions about safety, health services, or anything else related to sending your student to A-State, reach out to the Vietnam Office at study@astate.edu.vn or hotline 097 586 1994. You can also review more detail on the university's safety page, the dedicated parents page, or learn more about the city of Jonesboro. For any other questions, please visit our contact page.

Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash