Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.
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
- In-State$6,888
- Out-of-state$12,744
- In-State$6,282
- Out-of-state$11,520
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled13,024
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$7,666
- Out-of-state$26,690
- In-State$7,875
- Out-of-state$21,420
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled32,140
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,495
- Out-of-state$18,750
- In-State$5,760
- Out-of-state$13,050
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled8,197
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$7,140
- Out-of-state$14,280
- In-State$5,133
- Out-of-state$10,265
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled9,790
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$28,424
- Out-of-state$28,424
- In-State$13,920
- Out-of-state$13,920
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled2,326
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$5,995
- Out-of-state$11,989
- In-State$5,481
- Out-of-state$10,962
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled9,487
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$30,500
- Out-of-state$30,500
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled1,815
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Ecclesia College
- Springdale, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,750
- Out-of-state$15,750
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled157
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
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.
Explore More College Resources
Best Community Colleges in Arkansas
The higher education experts at BestColleges.com have reviewed top community colleges in Arkansas — start planning your future today.
Updated October 31, 2024
Best Trade Schools in Arkansas
Read this guide to find the best trade schools in Arkansas, learn what you can do with a trade school education, and learn how to finance trade school.
Updated September 15, 2023
Best Colleges in Kansas
The higher education experts at BestColleges.com have reviewed the top 4-year colleges in Kansas. Start planning your future at BestColleges.com
Updated October 31, 2024