Student life
Living and studying in Jonesboro — the real numbers and rules
A campus of nearly 17,900 students in a city of 80,000: big enough for every amenity, small enough to stay safe and focused on study. Here is everything to prepare, in the order you will need it.
Jonesboro right now
21°C70°F
Clear sky
- Feels like
- 24°C
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
Where to start
Three groups, in chronological order: before you fly, your first weeks after arrival, and the rest of the journey.
01Before you fly
Decisions to settle before you board the plane.
Getting to Jonesboro
Fly to Memphis (MEM) via a US gateway, then the university shuttle 1.5 hours to campus; semester shuttle schedule, sign-up and an eSIM that works the moment you land.
→Shopping essentials
What to bring from home, what to buy in the US, a first-week shopping plan, and why 220V appliances stay behind.
→Choose your housing
Traditional residence hall, Pack Place apartment or off-campus — 2026–27 rates by hall and the first-year residency rule.
→02Once you arrive
What to handle in your first two to four weeks.
Dining
Meal plans $2,020–$2,660 per semester, where to eat on campus, cooking in your hall, and Asian groceries on the shuttle route.
→Banking & money
Open a checking account in week one, debit versus credit, building a credit history, receiving money from home and avoiding scams.
→Cars & driving
When you actually need a car, the general Arkansas licence process, buying used safely, and mandatory insurance.
→Getting around without a car
Free GOJO city bus with your A-State ID, grocery shuttle four times a week, Uber and bikes.
→Health insurance
The mandatory F-1 student plan at about $570–650 per semester, and how to use the Student Health Center.
→Student employment
On-campus work up to 20 hours a week, CPT and OPT rules, and Graduate Assistantships.
→03Living and belonging
The part that decides whether Jonesboro becomes home.
Daily life
A typical week, US classroom culture, culture shock and mental health, seasonal weather, and staying in touch with family.
→Things to do
Craighead Forest Park, Red Wolves games, the Reng Student Union, and trips to Memphis, Little Rock and Nashville.
→Vietnamese community
Asian grocery, Multicultural Center, International Student Services and the VNIS alumni network.
→Housing 2026–27 — reference rates
Per semester (about 4.5 months), meal plan not included. First-year students aged 17+ must live on campus.
| Room type | Rate / semester | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Double room (traditional hall) | $2,730 | Most common for first-years; meal plan required |
| Single room (traditional hall) | $3,450 | More privacy, limited availability |
| Pack Place — 4-bedroom / 4-bathroom apartment | $3,755 | Private bedroom, shared kitchen; suits year 2 onward |
| Meal plan | $2,020 – $2,660 | Required in traditional halls; several tiers |
Full-year estimate (2 semesters) for a double room plus a mid-tier meal plan ≈ $10,000–10,800. Summer is billed separately. Rates are published by A-State Residence Life and may change annually.
Source: A-State Residence Life — Rates · Updated 08/2026
Mandatory health insurance
Every F-1 international student must buy the university health plan: about $570–650 per semester (≈ $1,100–1,300 per year), billed automatically with tuition.
Coverage includes visits to the on-campus Student Health Center, emergency care and hospitalisation under the plan terms. Jonesboro has two major hospitals (St. Bernards and NEA Baptist) under 10 minutes from campus.
A policy bought in your home country cannot replace it, except where the university grants a written waiver (rare).
Work rules for F-1 students
On campus: up to 20 hours per week during term, full-time during breaks. Typical jobs: library, recreation centre, dining, lab assistant, campus tour guide. Pay is at or above the Arkansas minimum wage.
Off campus: only through CPT (internships within your program) or OPT (12 months after graduation, +24 months for STEM majors). Unauthorised off-campus work is a serious visa-status violation.
Graduate level: Graduate Assistantships of 20 hours per week include an out-of-state tuition waiver — highly competitive, apply early with your admission file.
Source: A-State International Programs · USCIS — Working in the United States (F-1) · Updated 08/2026
More student-life articles
Arrival & Orientation
→Biking on Campus
→Campus Recreation Activities
→Dependents
International students may be accompanied by family members to the United States at any time.
→Frequently Asked Questions
→Tham gia tích cực – Dành cho Sinh viên Quốc tế
→Housing Options
University Housing provides a safe, diverse, and well-maintained environment that complements and supports A-State's academic mission. We create a dynamic living/learning experience that promotes and inspires individuals to become empowered community members
→FAQ: Choosing Housing at Arkansas State University (A-State)
→Hướng dẫn chi tiết thủ tục đăng ký nhà ở A-State từ A–Z
→2+2 Partner Schools
→Leadership Center
→Multicultural Center
→Student Union
→Student Security Operations Center
Learn about the Student Security Operations Center (SOC) at Arkansas State University – a student-run SOC model that helps students gain hands-on cybersecurity experience with industry-standard tools before graduation.
→Paying Tuition & Costs
→Video
What a semester at A-State looks like
Official footage from the Arkansas State University Vimeo channel — it loads only when you press play.
Vimeo A-State ↗Frequently asked questions
Must first-year students live on campus?
Yes. First-year students aged 17 or older must live on campus, with limited exceptions (living with family within a set radius, married, aged 21+). The rule helps first-years settle academically and stay safe.
Will I find food from home on campus?
The main dining hall is a buffet with many options; there is rice, noodles and basic Asian dishes, but nothing that matches home cooking exactly. Many international students combine a meal plan with cooking their own food from ingredients bought at the Asian Food Market (on the university shuttle route).
Do I need a car?
No. The GOJO bus is free with an A-State ID, the grocery shuttle runs four times a week, and the campus is walkable. Many second- and third-year students buy a used car for $5,000–8,000 for convenience, but it is not necessary.
When can students travel home?
Most students travel home during summer break (May–August) or winter break (mid-December to mid-January). Holidays that fall mid-semester — Lunar New Year in January or February, for example — are hard to travel for, because classes are in session.
Can part-time work cover living costs?
No. 20 hours a week at student wages covers personal spending (eating out, phone, transport) only. Tuition and housing must come from family funds and scholarships — this is also what the visa officer checks.
Need advice on housing, insurance or pre-departure?
Our admissions team guides you for free, from choosing a residence hall to the packing list.