Best Colleges in Arkansas

30
Universities
25
Community Colleges
55
Total Institutions

Explore 55 colleges and universities in Arkansas, ranked by the Repit College Score. Our ratings evaluate graduation rates, affordability, resources, and student experience.

#1
B

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR • 32,140 students
Public
70%
Grad Rate
$17k
Net Price
#2
B

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR • 8,158 students
Public
41%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
20%
Off-Campus
#3
B

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • 14,032 students
Public
55%
Grad Rate
$13k
Net Price
8%
Off-Campus
#4
C+

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, AR • 2,100 students
Public
40%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
#5
C+

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR • 9,790 students
Public
53%
Grad Rate
$16k
Net Price
#6
C+

Hendrix College

Conway, AR • 1,107 students
Private Non-Profit
69%
Grad Rate
#7
C+

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR • 5,127 students
Public
46%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
6%
Off-Campus
#8
C+

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, AR • 2,739 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
23%
Off-Campus
#9
C+

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR • 9,487 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
13%
Off-Campus
#10
C+

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR • 2,341 students
Private Non-Profit
67%
Grad Rate
#11
C+

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, AR • 1,815 students
Private Non-Profit
70%
Grad Rate
#12
C+

Harding University

Searcy, AR • 4,608 students
Private Non-Profit
71%
Grad Rate
#13
C+

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR • 5,506 students
Public
37%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
16%
Off-Campus
#14
C+

University of the Ozarks

Clarksville, AR • 763 students
Private Non-Profit
52%
Grad Rate
#15
C

Ecclesia College

Springdale, AR • 138 students
Private Non-Profit
37%
Grad Rate
#16
C

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, AR • 3,275 students
Public
#17
C

Lyon College

Batesville, AR • 584 students
Private Non-Profit
56%
Grad Rate
#18
C

Champion Christian College

Hot Springs, AR • 139 students
Private Non-Profit
#19
C

Central Baptist College

Conway, AR • 550 students
Private Non-Profit
35%
Grad Rate
#20
C

Philander Smith University

Little Rock, AR • 866 students
Private Non-Profit
32%
Grad Rate
#21
C

Jackson Theological Seminary

North Little Rock, AR • 9 students
Private Non-Profit
#22
C

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Fort Smith, AR • 826 students
Private Non-Profit
#23
C

Williams Baptist University

Walnut Ridge, AR • 514 students
Private Non-Profit
36%
Grad Rate
#24
C

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR • 2,136 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$17k
Net Price
#25
C

Crowley's Ridge College

Paragould, AR • 225 students
Private Non-Profit
26%
Grad Rate
#26
C

Arkansas Baptist College

Little Rock, AR • 373 students
Private Non-Profit
8%
Grad Rate
#27
D

Arkansas State University System

Little Rock, AR
Public
#28
D

University of Arkansas System Office

Little Rock, AR
Public
#29
D

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, AR • 3,742 students
Public
24%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
94%
Off-Campus
#30
D

Strayer University-Arkansas

Little Rock, AR • 483 students
Private For-Profit
#1
C+

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

Helena, AR • 1,356 students
Public
52%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#2
C+

Southern Arkansas University Tech

Camden, AR • 939 students
Public
61%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#3
C+

Arkansas State University Mid-South

West Memphis, AR • 1,021 students
Public
50%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#4
C+

Ozarka College

Melbourne, AR • 1,013 students
Public
44%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#5
C+

University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville

Batesville, AR • 1,118 students
Public
56%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#6
C+

Arkansas State University-Beebe

Beebe, AR • 3,010 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#7
C+

Arkansas State University-Newport

Newport, AR • 1,732 students
Public
42%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#8
C+

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana

Hope, AR • 1,288 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#9
C+

University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

Mena, AR • 719 students
Public
60%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#10
C

East Arkansas Community College

Forrest City, AR • 1,273 students
Public
47%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#11
C

National Park College

Hot Springs, AR • 2,308 students
Public
36%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
#12
C

North Arkansas College

Harrison, AR • 1,930 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#13
C

Arkansas State University Three Rivers

Malvern, AR • 2,028 students
Public
35%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#14
C

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

De Queen, AR • 1,387 students
Public
48%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#15
C

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, AR • 7,839 students
Public
27%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#16
C

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

Mountain Home, AR • 1,284 students
Public
50%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#17
C

Southeast Arkansas College

Pine Bluff, AR • 810 students
Public
18%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#18
C

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, AR • 1,544 students
Public
34%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#19
C

Baptist Health College Little Rock

Little Rock, AR • 512 students
Private Non-Profit
67%
Grad Rate
#20
C

University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton

Morrilton, AR • 2,225 students
Public
47%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
#21
C

South Arkansas College

El Dorado, AR • 1,190 students
Public
25%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#22
C

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, AR • 1,451 students
Public
21%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#23
C

University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

North Little Rock, AR • 4,175 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
#24
C

Jefferson Regional School of Nursing

Pine Bluff, AR • 80 students
Private Non-Profit
#25
D

Shorter College

N Little Rock, AR • 290 students
Private Non-Profit
7%
Grad Rate

Cities with Multiple Colleges

Conway 3 colleges
Batesville 2 colleges
Fort Smith 2 colleges
Hot Springs 2 colleges
Arkadelphia 2 colleges
Pine Bluff 3 colleges
North Little Rock 2 colleges
Little Rock 9 colleges

About College Rankings in Arkansas

The Repit College Score ranks 55 colleges and universities in Arkansas based on outcomes (graduation rates, retention), affordability (net cost, financial aid), resources (class sizes, faculty ratios), and student experience (campus life, housing options).

4-Year Universities (30): Bachelor's degree-granting institutions including public universities, private colleges, and research institutions.

2-Year Colleges (25): Community colleges and technical schools offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Arkansas

How many colleges are in Arkansas?

There are 55 accredited colleges and universities in Arkansas tracked by Repit, including 30 4-year institutions and 25 community colleges. Each school is rated using our proprietary scoring system that evaluates outcomes, affordability, and resources.

How does Repit rate colleges?

Repit rates colleges on a 100-point scale across five categories: Outcomes (graduation and retention rates), Affordability (net cost and financial aid), Resources (class sizes and selectivity), Experience (campus life and learning format), and Prestige (reputation and recognition). Each factor is weighted and combined into an overall score and letter grade.

Should I attend a public or private college in Arkansas?

Arkansas has both public and private institutions. Public schools often offer lower tuition for state residents, while private schools may provide more financial aid. Compare net prices and outcomes using Repit's detailed college profiles to find the best value for your situation.

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology