2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Our analysis looked at 27 schools in Arkansas to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named NorthWest Arkansas Community College the best school in Arkansas for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,096 in tuition and fees if they attend NWACC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,456. On average, associate degree students take out $15,871 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NWACC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
Students from Arkansas who attend A-State full time pay an average of $7,130 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,698. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,827 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since A-State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 27 schools in Arkansas that were part of this year’s ranking, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas landed the # 3 spot on the list.
Students from Arkansas who attend UA Cossatot full time pay an average of $3,960 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,410. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,043 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UA Cossatot. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arkansas State University - Newport. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list.
Students from Arkansas who attend ASUN full time pay an average of $2,856 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,320. On average, associate degree students take out $15,938 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at ASUN, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UA Pulaski Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,900. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,524 in student loans.
Online courses are available at UA Pulaski Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Full University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Report
Southeast Arkansas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
Students from Arkansas who attend SEARK College full time pay an average of $3,855 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,735.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SEARK College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Black River Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,118 in tuition and fees if they attend Black River Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,350. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,606 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Black River Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, Southern Arkansas University Tech did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,770 in tuition and fees if they attend SAU Tech full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,210. Associate Degree recipients from SAU Tech accumulate an average of $13,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at SAU Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Henderson State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list.
Students from Arkansas who attend Henderson State University full time pay an average of $7,560 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,768.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Henderson State University. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Arkansas State University - Beebe came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $2,928 in tuition and fees if they attend ASU-Beebe full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,656. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,741 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ASU-Beebe does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $7,900 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ATU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,636. On average, associate degree students take out $22,182 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ATU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #12, University of Arkansas at Little Rock did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Students from Arkansas who attend UA Little Rock full time pay an average of $9,512 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,767. On average, associate degree students take out $31,418 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at UA Little Rock, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
East Arkansas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at East Arkansas Community College is $3,120. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,720. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,175 in student loans.
Online courses are available at East Arkansas Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $3,456 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UACCM. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,128. Associate Degree recipients from UACCM accumulate an average of $19,183 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UACCM does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Full University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Report
National Park College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
In-state students pay an average of $5,000 in tuition and fees if they attend National Park College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,230. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,521 in student loans.
Online courses are available at National Park College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UAFS is $5,754. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,026. On average, associate degree students take out $14,238 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that UAFS does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Arkansas State University Three Rivers landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $3,458 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ASU Three Rivers. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,882. On average, associate degree students take out $30,774 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at ASU Three Rivers, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list.
In-state students pay an average of $2,850 in tuition and fees if they attend UACCB full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,438. On average, associate degree students take out $12,191 in loans while pursuing their degree.
UACCB does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Arkansas Northeastern College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Arkansas Northeastern College is $2,738. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,138. On average, associate degree students take out $11,336 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Arkansas Northeastern College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Arkansas College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northark. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,940. On average, associate degree students take out $15,802 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Northark, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $3,410 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Phillips County Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,910. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,650 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Phillips County Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 32% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Arkansas at Monticello landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UAM is $8,029. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,879. Associate Degree recipients from UAM accumulate an average of $14,111 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UAM does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
Bryan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking.
If you want to attend Bryan University, expect to pay an average of $16,181 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,548 in student loans.
Bryan University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
University of Arkansas Rich Mountain ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,576 in tuition and fees if they attend UA Rich Mountain full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,816.
Online courses are available at UA Rich Mountain, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $2,904 in tuition and fees if they attend ASUMH full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,524. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,082 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ASUMH. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Arkansas State University - Mountain Home
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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