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Best Schools in Arkansas

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2023 Best Schools in Arkansas

30 Schools Ranked
$38,833 Average Earnings
$20,727 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
$47,670 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Arkansas the best school in Arkansas for students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from UARK accumulate an average of $22,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $332, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UARK graduates make an average of $47,670 annually.

Read full report on University of Arkansas

#2

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
$49,585 Average Earnings
$24,606 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.

On average, students take out $24,606 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $401 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Harding, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,585 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Harding University

#3

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, Arkansas
$49,716 Average Earnings
$26,466 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means John Brown University is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $26,466 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from JBU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,716 during the early years of their career.

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#4

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
$40,836 Average Earnings
$16,393 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 30 schools in Arkansas that were part of this year’s ranking, NorthWest Arkansas Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $16,393 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NWACC graduates make an average of $40,836 annually.

Read full report on NorthWest Arkansas Community College

$32,182 Average Earnings
$15,164 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Arkansas State University - Newport helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Arkansas.

On average, students take out $15,164 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ASUN graduates make an average of $32,182 annually.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Newport

#6

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
$35,027 Average Earnings
$17,132 Avg Student Debt

Ouachita Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

On average, students take out $17,132 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ouachita Baptist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,027 during the early year of their career.

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#7

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
$37,734 Average Earnings
$23,394 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Arkansas ranked #7 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,394 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168. Once they receive their degree, UCA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,734 during the early year of their career.

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$42,182 Average Earnings
$24,258 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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,258 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $141 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, A-State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,182 during the early year of their career.

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$29,998 Average Earnings
$21,282 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,282 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UA Pulaski Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,998 during the early year of their career.

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#10

Williams Baptist University

Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
$30,437 Average Earnings
$19,939 Avg Student Debt

Williams Baptist University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking.

On average, students take out $19,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WBU graduates make an average of $30,437 annually.

Read full report on Williams Baptist University

$33,220 Average Earnings
$13,390 Avg Student Debt

Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking.

Degree recipients from SAU Tech accumulate an average of $13,390 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SAU Tech graduates make an average of $33,220 annually.

Full Southern Arkansas University Tech Report

#12

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
$36,312 Average Earnings
$23,312 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.

Degree recipients from Henderson State University accumulate an average of $23,312 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Henderson State University graduates make an average of $36,312 annually.

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#13

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas
$36,255 Average Earnings
$17,080 Avg Student Debt

National Park College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $17,080 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from National Park College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,255 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on National Park College

#14

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas
$39,997 Average Earnings
$29,964 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, University of Arkansas at Little Rock did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,964 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UA Little Rock graduates make an average of $39,997 annually.

Full University of Arkansas at Little Rock Report

$52,762 Average Earnings
$30,774 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University Three Rivers landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,774 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ASU Three Rivers graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,762 during the early year of their career.

Full Arkansas State University Three Rivers Report

$31,453 Average Earnings
$19,183 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list.

On average, students take out $19,183 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UACCM graduates make an average of $31,453 annually.

Read full report on University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton

#17

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, Arkansas
$33,301 Average Earnings
$16,463 Avg Student Debt

Black River Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list.

On average, students take out $16,463 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Black River Technical College graduates make an average of $33,301 annually.

Full Black River Technical College Report

#18

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
$35,775 Average Earnings
$23,314 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Tech University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,314 in student loans.After graduating from ATU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,775 during the early years of their career.

Full Arkansas Tech University Report

#19

South Arkansas Community College

El Dorado, Arkansas
$27,687 Average Earnings
$18,041 Avg Student Debt

South Arkansas Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,041 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SouthArk graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,687 during the early year of their career.

Full South Arkansas Community College Report

$26,859 Average Earnings
$10,422 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Beebe landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,422 in student loans.After graduating from ASU-Beebe, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $26,859 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Beebe

#21

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Fort Smith, Arkansas
$34,344 Average Earnings
$20,349 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in Arkansas list.

Degree recipients from UAFS accumulate an average of $20,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UAFS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,344 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

#22

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, Arkansas
$32,743 Average Earnings
$27,786 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking.

Degree recipients from UAPB accumulate an average of $27,786 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UAPB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,743 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Report

$53,794 Average Earnings
$12,320 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arkansas ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,320 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UACCB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,794 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville Report

#24

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, Arkansas
$34,999 Average Earnings
$14,140 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Arkansas Northeastern College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,140 in student loans.After graduating from Arkansas Northeastern College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,999 during the early years of their career.

Full Arkansas Northeastern College Report

$38,086 Average Earnings
$21,606 Avg Student Debt

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accumulate an average of $21,606 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,086 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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