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Best Schools in Arkansas

2023 Best Schools in Arkansas

30 Schools Ranked
$44,968 Average Earnings
$22,458 Avg Student Debt

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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in Arkansas to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 30 schools in Arkansas to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Arkansas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
6,937 Total Awards
$52,555 Average Earnings
$39,836 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Arkansas the best school in Arkansas for students working on their degree. UARK is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 6,937 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,836 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UARK graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,555 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
1,232 Total Awards
$53,629 Average Earnings
$33,306 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harding University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Schools in Arkansas list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Searcy, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,232 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Harding accumulate an average of $33,306 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Harding graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,629 during the early year of their career.

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#3

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, Arkansas
495 Total Awards
$50,420 Average Earnings
$30,492 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 30 schools in Arkansas that were part of this year’s ranking, John Brown University landed the # 3 spot on the list. JBU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 495 degrees in .

Degree recipients from JBU accumulate an average of $30,492 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, JBU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,420 during the early year of their career.

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#4

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
2,155 Total Awards
$40,671 Average Earnings
$12,573 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a great place for students. Bentonville, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,155 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,573 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NWACC graduates make an average of $40,671 annually.

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1,212 Total Awards
$44,500 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arkansas State University - Newport. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 1,212 degrees in .

After graduating from ASUN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,500 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
477 Total Awards
$35,820 Average Earnings
$34,839 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Ouachita Baptist University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 477 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,839 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Ouachita Baptist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,820 during the early year of their career.

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#7

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
2,446 Total Awards
$43,187 Average Earnings
$21,362 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Arkansas ranked #7 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list. Conway, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,446 students in .

On average, students take out $21,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UCA graduates make an average of $43,187 annually.

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4,907 Total Awards
$48,847 Average Earnings
$18,813 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. This fairly large public school is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and it awarded 4,907 degrees in .

On average, students take out $18,813 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, A-State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,847 during the early year of their career.

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1,819 Total Awards
$32,554 Average Earnings
$10,089 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list. University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College is a small public school located in North Little Rock, Arkansas that handed out 1,819 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,089 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UA Pulaski Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,554 during the early year of their career.

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#10

Williams Baptist University

Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
135 Total Awards
$31,309 Average Earnings

Williams Baptist University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking. WBU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 135 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, WBU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,309 during the early year of their career.

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652 Total Awards
$34,302 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #11, Southern Arkansas University Tech did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a very small public school located in Camden, Arkansas that handed out 652 degrees in .

After graduating from SAU Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,302 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
940 Total Awards
$40,131 Average Earnings
$14,832 Avg Student Debt

Henderson State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Henderson State University is a public institution located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 940 degrees in .

On average, students take out $14,832 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Henderson State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,131 during the early years of their career.

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#13

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas
818 Total Awards
$42,458 Average Earnings

National Park College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking. National Park College is a public institution located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 818 degrees in .

After graduating from National Park College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,458 during the early years of their career.

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#14

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas
2,107 Total Awards
$47,170 Average Earnings
$12,692 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Little Rock came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking. UA Little Rock is a public institution located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,107 degrees in .

On average, students take out $12,692 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UA Little Rock graduates make an average of $47,170 annually.

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627 Total Awards

With a ranking of #15, Arkansas State University Three Rivers did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Malvern, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 627 students in .

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1,101 Total Awards
$47,729 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #16, University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. UACCM is a small public school situated in Morrilton, Arkansas. It awarded 1,101 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, UACCM graduates make an average of $47,729 annually.

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#17

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, Arkansas
1,693 Total Awards
$41,888 Average Earnings

Black River Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Pocahontas, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 1,693 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, Black River Technical College graduates make an average of $41,888 annually.

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#18

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
4,066 Total Awards
$45,115 Average Earnings
$12,429 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Tech University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. ATU is located in Russellville, Arkansas and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 4,066 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from ATU accumulate an average of $12,429 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ATU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,115 during the early year of their career.

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#19

South Arkansas Community College

El Dorado, Arkansas
754 Total Awards
$59,370 Average Earnings

South Arkansas Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. El Dorado, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 754 students in .

During the early years of their career, SouthArk graduates make an average of $59,370 annually.

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977 Total Awards
$30,293 Average Earnings

Arkansas State University - Beebe came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking. Arkansas State University - Beebe is a small public school located in Beebe, Arkansas that handed out 977 degrees in .

After graduating from ASU-Beebe, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,293 during the early years of their career.

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#21

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Fort Smith, Arkansas
1,934 Total Awards
$39,204 Average Earnings
$12,825 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,934 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,825 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UAFS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,204 during the early year of their career.

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#22

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, Arkansas
390 Total Awards
$35,490 Average Earnings
$17,797 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list. This small public school is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and it awarded 390 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,797 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UAPB graduates make an average of $35,490 annually.

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619 Total Awards
$64,187 Average Earnings

University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. UACCB is a small public school situated in Batesville, Arkansas. It awarded 619 degrees in .

After graduating from UACCB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,187 during the early years of their career.

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#24

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, Arkansas
593 Total Awards
$47,773 Average Earnings

Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Blytheville, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 593 degrees in .

After graduating from Arkansas Northeastern College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,773 during the early years of their career.

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1,962 Total Awards
$41,723 Average Earnings
$18,180 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a medium-sized public school located in Magnolia, Arkansas that handed out 1,962 degrees in .

On average, students take out $18,180 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,723 during the early year of their career.

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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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