PlainCollege

State profile · 83 colleges · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals

Colleges in Arkansas

Colleges in Arkansas from PlainCollege's Scorecard dataset, compared on acceptance, cost, and 10-year former-student earnings.

83
Colleges
$35,514
Avg 10-yr earnings (72 of 83)
74.0%
Avg acceptance

Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.

Arkansas · the picture in one line

Arkansas's 72 of 83 colleges that report earnings average $35,514 in 10-year former-student earnings - 50th highest of 56 states and territories that report.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

#50
of 56 states by avg former-student earnings
$73,975
top earnings - Jefferson Regional School of Nursing
74.0%
avg acceptance (19 reporting)
36 / 19 / 28
public / nonprofit / for-profit

Best earnings-to-cost value among Arkansas colleges with reported figures: University of Arkansas Grantham.

Arkansas · enrollment ≠ earnings

In Arkansas, University of Arkansas leads by undergraduate enrollment (28,677 students, #1 of 65) but ranks #6 of 65 on 10-year median earnings ($58,191), while Jefferson Regional School of Nursing tops earnings at $73,975 (#1 of 65) with 92 students (#54 of 65). The biggest campus is not always the highest-paying outcome.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

28,677
University of enrollment #1
$73,975
Jefferson Regional earnings #1
#1
Enrollment rank of earnings leader
#6
Earnings rank of enrollment leader

Enrollment is IPEDS fall headcount; earnings are Scorecard 10-year medians for federally aided former students. Different populations, not one ROI ratio.

Enrollment of Arkansas's #1 campuses by size vs earnings

Same unit (undergraduate students) for both named leaders.

students

What this shows University of Arkansas is largest by enrollment; Jefferson Regional School of Nursing leads on 10-year earnings at $73,975.

Source IPEDS via College Scorecard As of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals

This page aggregates colleges and universities in Arkansas returned by PlainCollege's U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard snapshot. It combines IPEDS-derived institutional fields with Treasury-derived earnings published for federal-aid recipients. Coverage includes public flagships, regional comprehensives, community and technical colleges, private nonprofit institutions, and for-profit schools.

The state-aggregate statistics below include all reporting institutions in Arkansas as a single denominator, community colleges, public universities, private nonprofits, and for-profit institutions are pooled. State averages are therefore useful for high-level framing (in-state tuition is X, average admission rate is Y, average earnings are Z) but should not be read as representative of any specific sector or institution. Drill into individual school profiles for the full picture: admissions, costs (sticker and net), federal-aid usage, completion, retention, demographics, and earnings outcomes 6 and 10 years after enrollment.

The Scorecard data used here was retrieved in March–July 2026. That retrieval window is not the measurement year: tuition and enrollment fields retain their source reporting periods, while 10-year institution earnings describe federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year, a decade after entry.

Largest Colleges in Arkansas by Enrollment

IPEDS Fall enrollment via College Scorecard.

students

What this shows Enrollment size reflects institutional scale, not quality or on-campus experience - a large school here can still be a small, selective program relative to its state peers.

Source IPEDS As of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals

Highest Earnings, 10-Year Median: Arkansas

U.S. Treasury earnings linkage via College Scorecard.

USD

What this shows Former-student earnings vary by program mix and local labor market as much as by the school itself; this comparison does not isolate a school's causal effect.

Source College Scorecard As of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals

The ROI lens

Arkansas colleges: earnings vs. cost

Arkansas colleges, positioned by earnings vs net price Two-by-two quadrant chart: x-axis median earnings 10 years after enrollment, y-axis average net price after financial aid. Each dot is a college, colored by completion within 150% of normal time (garnet ≥65%, amber 45-64%, red <45%). Net price increases upward, earnings increase rightward, so: bottom-right = best value (low cost, high earnings); top-right = premium (high cost, high earnings); bottom-left = community college tier (low cost, modest earnings); top-left = cost challenge (high cost, low earnings). Currently plotting 14 colleges. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard joined to Carnegie Classification. Arkansas colleges, positioned by earnings vs net price COST CHALLENGE PREMIUM COMMUNITY BEST VALUE $30K $67K Median Earnings 10 Years After Enrollment ($) $6K $23K Avg Net Price ($) University of Arkansas: $58K earn · $18K net · 70% grad University of Arka… Arkansas State University: $43K earn · $12K net · 55% grad Arkansas State Uni… University of Central Arkansas: $46K earn · $17K net · 53% grad University of Cent… Arkansas Tech University: $42K earn · $13K net · 49% grad Arkansas Tech Univ… NorthWest Arkansas Community College: $44K earn · $7K net · 29% grad NorthWest Arkansas… University of Arkansas at Little Rock: $45K earn · $17K net · 42% grad University of Arka… University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College: $35K earn · $14K net · 34% grad University of Arkansas-Fort Smith: $41K earn · $11K net · 37% grad Harding University: $53K earn · $22K net · 70% grad University of Arkansas Grantham: $63K earn · $8K net · 32% grad Southern Arkansas University Main Campus: $42K earn · $14K net · 48% grad Arkansas State University-Beebe: $37K earn · $12K net · 40% grad University of Arkansas at Monticello: $37K earn · $14K net · 46% grad University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: $36K earn · $13K net · 40% grad Grad rate (4yr) ≥65% 45-64% <45%
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

National context

How Arkansas ranks among the states

Arkansas's average 10-year earnings of $35,514 place it in the 13th percentile among all 56 states and territories tracked by the College Scorecard.

Arkansas: average former-student earnings vs. every state

State-average 10-year median earnings, College Scorecard

$35,514 13th percentile higher than 13% of 56 states & territories

$24,000–$28,000: 3 states & territories (5%). Below this entry. $28,000–$32,000: 1 states & territories (2%). Below this entry. $32,000–$36,000: 3 states & territories (5%). This entry sits in this band. $36,000–$40,000: 12 states & territories (21%). Above this entry. $40,000–$44,000: 14 states & territories (25%). Above this entry. $44,000–$48,000: 10 states & territories (18%). Above this entry. $48,000–$52,000: 7 states & territories (13%). Above this entry. $52,000–$56,000: 3 states & territories (5%). Above this entry. $56,000–$60,000: 3 states & territories (5%). Above this entry. AR $24,000 $60,000 every state, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $4K-wide band; taller bars hold more states & territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals

Arkansas vs. every state, at a glance
EarningsAffordabilityOptionsAccess

Each axis is this state's percentile among all states & territories on that metric (Earnings/Affordability/Options/Access) -- not a composite grade, just four independent comparisons in one shape.

School type matters

How school type shapes earnings in Arkansas

Average 10-year former-student earnings by institution type. Program mix, selectivity, student background, and local labor markets all contribute to the observed gaps, so read this beside each school's own figures.

Average former-student earnings by school type - Arkansas

Mean of per-school 10-year median earnings, College Scorecard

avg earnings

What this shows Keeping schools within one state reduces some regional variation, but this descriptive comparison does not control for program mix, selection, or student background.

Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard As of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
83
Total Schools
$10,338
Avg In-State Tuition (51 of 83)
74.0%
Avg Acceptance Rate (19 of 83)
$35,514
Avg Median Earnings (72 of 83)
36 Public 19 Private NP 28 For-Profit
Ownership Breakdown

What the IPEDS Data Shows for Colleges in Arkansas

PlainCollege's Scorecard dataset contains 83 postsecondary institutions in Arkansas. The ownership mix is 36 public institutions, 19 private nonprofits, and 28 private for-profit schools. Public institutions often report lower in-state tuition because state appropriations subsidize the published price, while private nonprofits may show higher sticker prices partly offset by institutional aid.

Cost and selectivity signals vary widely even within a single state. The average in-state tuition among the 51 of 83 Arkansas institutions that report one is $10,338, and the average admission rate among the 19 that report one sits at 74.0%. Admission rates from IPEDS exclude open-enrollment institutions, which is why community colleges and many for-profits show as unreported rather than at 100 percent. Looking at the table, the acceptance-rate column is blank for schools that don’t screen applicants, a meaningful distinction when evaluating selectivity alongside earnings.

Institution-level earnings connect cost to one observed outcome. Among the 72 of 83 Arkansas colleges that report 10-year median earnings, federally aided former students show a mean of $35,514, based on Treasury-derived records published through the Scorecard. Because earnings depend heavily on field of study, student background, and local labor markets, state-level averages should be read alongside each school’s program mix. The table sorts institutions with reported IPEDS enrollment so users can compare acceptance rates, enrollment scale, and median earnings side by side.

All Schools in Arkansas

School Name City Type Enrollment Acceptance Rate 10yr Earnings
University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public 28,677 74.3% $58,191
Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public 9,110 82.3% $42,617
University of Central Arkansas Conway Public 7,762 89.5% $45,938
Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public 5,388 95.9% $41,766
NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville Public 4,953 - $43,505
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock Public 4,949 58.8% $45,265
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock Public 4,118 - $34,722
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public 4,091 80.5% $41,102
Harding University Searcy Private NP 3,382 70.5% $52,876
University of Arkansas Grantham LIttle Rock Public 2,833 - $63,496
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public 2,708 75.3% $42,386
Arkansas State University-Beebe Beebe Public 1,986 - $36,603
University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello Public 1,933 - $36,902
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Public 1,807 41.2% $35,550
National Park College Hot Springs Public 1,789 - $32,444
Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia Private NP 1,602 67.5% $51,673
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock Public 1,571 - $73,827
John Brown University Siloam Springs Private NP 1,471 76.1% $53,907
Henderson State University Arkadelphia Public 1,456 - $43,459
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Morrilton Public 1,447 100.0% $34,924
Arkansas State University-Newport Newport Public 1,236 - $41,524
North Arkansas College Harrison Public 1,202 - $34,653
Hendrix College Conway Private NP 1,100 55.6% $60,376
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Mountain Home Public 925 - $34,238
Black River Technical College Pocahontas Public 903 - $34,818
South Arkansas College El Dorado Public 862 - $34,521
Southeast Arkansas College Pine Bluff Public 851 - $33,603
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen Public 772 - $33,775
University of the Ozarks Clarksville Private NP 767 59.5% $44,384
Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville Public 756 - $33,169
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville Batesville Public 751 - $33,706
Philander Smith University Little Rock Private NP 751 - $38,427
Strayer University-Arkansas Little Rock For-Profit 695 - $40,092
Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden Public 672 - $36,376
Lyon College Batesville Private NP 648 62.8% $44,232
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena Public 614 - $29,552
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope Public 583 - $34,162
Ozarka College Melbourne Public 575 - $29,314
Baptist Health College Little Rock Little Rock Private NP 569 95.5% $62,244
University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College Forrest City Public 554 - $28,471
Arkansas State University Three Rivers Malvern Public 550 - $37,374
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain Mena Public 503 - $30,037
Arkansas State University Mid-South West Memphis Public 502 - $31,857
Central Baptist College Conway Private NP 484 63.5% $46,789
Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge Private NP 478 83.4% $38,484
Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock North Little Rock For-Profit 360 - $24,765
Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock Private NP 342 - $28,418
Shorter College N Little Rock Private NP 287 - -
Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale For-Profit 245 - $21,567
Northwest Technical Institute Springdale Public 206 - $41,513
Crowley's Ridge College Paragould Private NP 165 - $39,533
Champion Christian College Hot Springs Private NP 144 - -
Arkansas Technical School North Little Rock For-Profit 123 - $16,209
Academy of Professional Cosmetology Rogers For-Profit 115 - -
Ecclesia College Springdale Private NP 108 73.8% $40,650
The Salon Professional Academy Sherwood For-Profit 106 - -
Paul Mitchell the School-Arkansas Fayetteville For-Profit 99 - $20,077
Designer Barber & Stylist School Fort Smith For-Profit 95 - -
Jefferson Regional School of Nursing Pine Bluff Private NP 92 - $73,975
Hot Springs Beauty College Hot Springs For-Profit 86 - $21,563
Arkansas Welding Academy Jacksonville For-Profit 73 - -
Arthur's Beauty College Jonesboro For-Profit 69 - $21,470
Arthur's Beauty College Conway For-Profit 66 - $21,954
Arkansas Beauty College Russellville For-Profit 61 - $16,857
Searcy Beauty College Searcy For-Profit 54 - $19,896
Academy of Salon and Spa Fort Smith For-Profit 52 - $16,941
Washington Barber College Inc Little Rock For-Profit 43 - $8,579
University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology El Dorado For-Profit 42 - $26,754
New Tyler Barber College Inc North Little Rock For-Profit 39 - $18,715
GoodFellas Barber College Little Rock For-Profit 32 - -
Arthur's Beauty College Jacksonville For-Profit 29 - $21,954
Velvatex College of Beauty Culture Little Rock For-Profit 8 - $17,412
Northern Technical College Pine Bluff For-Profit 8 - -
Jackson Theological Seminary North Little Rock Private NP 1 - -
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Fort Smith Private NP - - -
Lyon College-School of Dental Medicine Little Rock Private NP - - $44,232
Arkansas Technical School North Little Rock For-Profit - - $16,209
Career Academy of Hair Design-Siloam Springs Siloam Springs For-Profit - - $21,567
Career Academy of Hair Design-Rogers Rogers For-Profit - - $21,567
Career Academy of Hair Design-Fayetteville Fayetteville For-Profit - - $21,567
Career Academy of Hair Design - Fort Smith Fort Smith For-Profit - - $21,567
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope - Texarkana Texarkana Public - - $34,162
Designer Barber & Stylist School - Fort Smith For-Profit - - -

Featured Colleges in Arkansas

Quick picks from this state – compare two schools side by side

University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
28,677 students
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
9,110 students
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR
7,762 students
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
5,388 students
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, AR
4,953 students
Compare University of Arkansas vs Arkansas State University →

Explore more Arkansas data

Highest-earning colleges → Best value colleges → ROI calculator → Compare states →

Guides & Resources

Is College Worth It?

A data-driven answer using earnings and cost data.

How to Compare Colleges

A framework for picking schools with data, not rankings alone.

Financial Aid & Net Price

How net price differs from sticker price and financial aid.

Understanding College Earnings Data

How Scorecard earnings figures are measured and their limits.

About This Data

According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, PlainCollege's current snapshots were retrieved in March–July 2026. This state's institution-level figures come from the July retrieval, including IPEDS-derived characteristics. Earnings represent median income 10 years after enrollment for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year, using U.S. Treasury-derived records published through the Scorecard.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What this means for Arkansas applicants

  • Arkansas has 83 colleges in PlainCollege's Scorecard dataset, spanning community colleges, public flagships, and private institutions.
  • Average reported admission rate across Arkansas colleges is 74.0% - individual schools vary widely, check each profile for its own rate.
  • State-level averages pool every reporting institution together; run a specific school's numbers before assuming the state figure applies to it.Use the ROI calculator

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or educational advice. State-level averages pool every reporting institution and do not predict any individual school's outcome.

Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. State-level rollups are computed directly from College Scorecard and IPEDS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.