Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
Discover the cost of college in Arkansas, the top 10 fast-growing jobs in the state, and the benefits of online education. Find the right online program for you.
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Attending an online college in Arkansas can provide students with many of benefits, including cheaper-than-average tuition rates, scholarship opportunities, and student support services to help them during college and beyond.
Whether you’re interested in healthcare, food service, or education, there is an online college in Arkansas that can help you achieve your career goals. For eligible students, there are even opportunities to attend college for free.
Below, take a closer look at the best online colleges in Arkansas, the cost of college tuition, and the state’s fastest-growing jobs.
Featured Online Bachelor’s Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$6,888
$12,744
70%
67%
$6,282
$11,520
78%
13,024
Public
Yes
$6,888
$12,744
Jonesboro, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$6,888
$12,744
70%
67%
$6,282
$11,520
78%
13,024
Public
Yes
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,666
$26,690
72%
36%
$7,875
$21,420
86%
32,140
Public
Yes
$7,666
$26,690
Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,666
$26,690
72%
36%
$7,875
$21,420
86%
32,140
Public
Yes
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$6,495
$18,750
61%
67%
$5,760
$13,050
75%
8,197
Public
Yes
$6,495
$18,750
Little Rock, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$6,495
$18,750
61%
67%
$5,760
$13,050
75%
8,197
Public
Yes
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,140
$14,280
90%
51%
$5,133
$10,265
73%
9,790
Public
Yes
$7,140
$14,280
Conway, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,140
$14,280
90%
51%
$5,133
$10,265
73%
9,790
Public
Yes
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$28,424
$28,424
57%
38%
$13,920
$13,920
84%
2,326
Private
Yes
$28,424
$28,424
Siloam Springs, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$28,424
$28,424
57%
38%
$13,920
$13,920
84%
2,326
Private
Yes
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$5,995
$11,989
96%
57%
$5,481
$10,962
71%
9,487
Public
Yes
$5,995
$11,989
Russellville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$5,995
$11,989
96%
57%
$5,481
$10,962
71%
9,487
Public
Yes
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR2 yearCampus + Online
$30,500
$30,500
69%
15%
$13,500
$13,500
83%
1,815
Private
Yes
$30,500
$30,500
Arkadelphia, AR2 yearCampus + Online
$30,500
$30,500
69%
15%
$13,500
$13,500
83%
1,815
Private
Yes
Ecclesia College
Springdale, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$15,750
$15,750
55%
26%
$12,000
$12,000
52%
157
Private
Yes
$15,750
$15,750
Springdale, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$15,750
$15,750
55%
26%
$12,000
$12,000
52%
157
Private
Yes
Cost of College in Arkansas
Tuition costs in Arkansas are cheaper than the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The cost of college in Arkansas varies depending on the type of institution. For the 2021-2022 school year, the average in-state tuition at public four-year universities was $8,622 in Arkansas, about $1,000 less than the national average, per NCES.
The out-of-state tuition cost for public universities was $21,981 in Arkansas. For private universities, the average tuition cost was $24,128.
While the base tuition in Arkansas is generally cheaper than the national average, you should also factor in the cost of room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $8,622 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $21,981 |
| Private Four-Year | $24,128 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $3,486 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $4,882 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to a dynamic job market that includes a range of opportunities in industries like healthcare, food service, and education.
If you’re considering pursuing an online degree in Arkansas, aligning your studies with the state’s fastest-growing jobs can be a strategic move.
Below, discover the 10 fast-growing jobs in the Natural State and what professionals in these roles earned on average in 2023.
| Job | Job Growth, 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 54% | $113,410 |
| Restaurant Cooks | 52% | $30,000 |
| Fundraisers | 48% | $60,150 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 44% | $75,290 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 43% | $26,840 |
| Operations Research Analysts | 39% | $75,020 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 39% | $84,060 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 37% | $62,620 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | 37% | $32,610 |
| Preschool Teachers | 36% | $35,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Arkansas
Yes, there are programs for free college education in Arkansas. The A-State Promise Plus scholarship program at Arkansas State University offers free tuition to families with a household income of $70,000 or less. This last-dollar scholarship covers the remaining tuition after federal grants and the Arkansas Academic Challenge or Lottery Scholarship are applied.
The University of Central Arkansas has launched the UCA Commitment program, which aims to largely eliminate the financial barrier to a bachelor’s degree for families earning less than $100,000 per year, covering tuition and fees with scholarships and work-study assignments for eligible students.
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