2023 Best Value Schools in Arkansas
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 30 schools in Arkansas to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Schools in Arkansas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Arkansas State University - Newport the best value school in Arkansas for students working on their degree. ASUN is located in Newport, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,122 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASUN are $4,320 per year. On average, students take out $15,164 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, ASUN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,182 during the early year of their career.
ASUN not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Arkansas list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Arkansas State University - Beebe is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This small public school is located in Beebe, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,343 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU-Beebe are $4,656 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,422 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ASU-Beebe graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,859 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Arkansas Northeastern College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Blytheville, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 440 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Arkansas Northeastern College are $4,138 a year. 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.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means South Arkansas Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in El Dorado, Arkansas that handed out 772 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SouthArk are $4,812 a year. On average, students take out $18,041 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SouthArk graduates make an average of $27,687 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Arkansas list. NWACC is located in Bentonville, Arkansas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,919 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,456 a year. On average, students take out $16,393 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, NWACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,836 during the early year of their career.
NWACC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Schools in Arkansas list.
University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville is a small public school located in Batesville, Arkansas that handed out 627 degrees in 2020-2021.
UACCB undergraduate students pay an average of $3,438 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,320 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UACCB graduates make an average of $53,794 annually.
Arkansas State University Three Rivers landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Malvern, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 535 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ASU Three Rivers are $5,882 a year. On average, students take out $30,774 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Arkansas list. Morrilton, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,063 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UACCM are $4,128 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,183 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UACCM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,453 during the early year of their career.
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. ASUMH is a public institution located in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 566 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASUMH are $4,524 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,703 in student loans.After graduating from ASUMH, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,319 during the early years of their career.
Black River Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Black River Technical College is a small public school situated in Pocahontas, Arkansas. It awarded 995 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Black River Technical College are $6,350 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,463 in student loans.After graduating from Black River Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,301 during the early years of their career.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. SAU Tech is a public institution located in Camden, Arkansas. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 650 degrees in 2020-2021.
SAU Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,210 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,390 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SAU Tech graduates make an average of $33,220 annually.
University of Arkansas Rich Mountain did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. University of Arkansas Rich Mountain is a very small public school located in Mena, Arkansas that handed out 356 degrees in 2020-2021.
UA Rich Mountain undergraduate students pay an average of $3,816 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,469 in student loans.After graduating from UA Rich Mountain, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,613 during the early years of their career.
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Phillips County Community College is a small public school situated in Helena, Arkansas. It awarded 453 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Phillips County Community College are $4,910 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Phillips County Community College graduates make an average of $33,405 annually.
Full Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Report
National Park College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. National Park College is a small public school located in Hot Springs, Arkansas that handed out 781 degrees in 2020-2021.
National Park College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,230 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,080 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, National Park College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,255 during the early year of their career.
North Arkansas College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This small public school is located in Harrison, Arkansas, and it awarded 557 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northark undergraduate students pay an average of $5,940 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $15,421 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northark graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,765 during the early year of their career.
University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 1,800 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UA Pulaski Tech are $6,900 a year. On average, students take out $21,282 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. A-State is a fairly large public school situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It awarded 5,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
A-State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,698 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,258 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $141, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, A-State graduates make an average of $42,182 annually.
University of Arkansas landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UARK is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 7,525 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UARK are $26,390 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,930 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $332 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UARK graduates make an average of $47,670 annually.
UARK also took the #1 spot in our Best Schools in Arkansas rankings.
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. UAFS is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It awarded 1,394 degrees in 2020-2021.
UAFS undergraduate students pay an average of $13,026 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $20,349 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UAFS graduates make an average of $34,344 annually.
Henderson State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 808 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Henderson State University are $9,768 per year. On average, students take out $23,312 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Henderson State University graduates make an average of $36,312 annually.
University of Central Arkansas landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UCA is a fairly large public school situated in Conway, Arkansas. It awarded 2,711 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UCA are $16,433 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,394 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,734 during the early years of their career.
UCA excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Arkansas list.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. ATU is a medium-sized public school situated in Russellville, Arkansas. It awarded 3,675 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATU are $13,636 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ATU graduates make an average of $35,775 annually.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,391 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UA Little Rock are $21,767 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $29,964 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UA Little Rock graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,997 during the early year of their career.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 402 degrees in 2020-2021.
UAPB undergraduate students pay an average of $14,574 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,786 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UAPB graduates make an average of $32,743 annually.
University of Arkansas at Monticello did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. University of Arkansas at Monticello is a small public school located in Monticello, Arkansas that handed out 1,165 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UAM are $13,879 per year. On average, students take out $17,078 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UAM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,171 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Southeast Region
View Best Value Schools Nationwide >
More Arkansas Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.