Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2024
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Arkansas offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Best Grad Schools in Arkansas
- University of Arkansas
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Arkansas State University
- University of Central Arkansas
- Harding University
- Arkansas Tech University
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- University of Arkansas
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Arkansas State University
- University of Central Arkansas
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Harding University
- Arkansas Tech University
- Arkansas Tech University 94%
- University of Central Arkansas 91%
- University of Arkansas 79%
- Arkansas State University 70%
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 69%
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
- Harding University 45%
- University of Arkansas 20 to 1
- Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
- Harding University 15 to 1
- Arkansas State University 15 to 1
- University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 13 to 1
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
- Harding University $23,148
- University of Arkansas $7,666
- University of Central Arkansas $6,950
- Arkansas State University $6,888
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
- Arkansas Tech University $5,820
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,640
- Harding University $12,399
- University of Arkansas $7,875
- Arkansas State University $6,282
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,712
- Arkansas Tech University $5,481
- University of Central Arkansas $5,133
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Arkansas Tech University
- Harding University
- University of Central Arkansas
- Arkansas State University
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Arkansas
- Arkansas Tech University
- Harding University
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- University of Central Arkansas
- Arkansas State University
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Arkansas
- Harding University 45%
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 69%
- Arkansas State University 70%
- University of Arkansas 79%
- University of Central Arkansas 91%
- Arkansas Tech University 94%
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 13 to 1
- University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
- Harding University 15 to 1
- Arkansas State University 15 to 1
- Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
- University of Arkansas 20 to 1
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,640
- Arkansas Tech University $5,820
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
- Arkansas State University $6,888
- University of Central Arkansas $6,950
- University of Arkansas $7,666
- Harding University $23,148
- University of Central Arkansas $5,133
- Arkansas Tech University $5,481
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,712
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
- Arkansas State University $6,282
- University of Arkansas $7,875
- Harding University $12,399
Colleges and Universities in Arkansas
Colleges and universities in Arkansas are uniquely affordable, with just under half providing tuition rates of $9,000 or less. We’ve also found 7 high quality colleges offering online degree programs in Arkansas.
Indeed, online students can earn their degree at one of the state’s two largest universities, the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University.
Though students can find some overlapping degree programs at the two schools, each has its specialties. For example, students hoping to pursue degrees in architecture, agriculture, or business may want to consider the University of Arkansas, while those interested in biology, nursing, or political science may want to attend Arkansas State University. It is possible to study these subjects both through traditional and online degree programs in the state of Arkansas.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
Roughly one third of the schools in Arkansas have a religious affiliation. Student populations at these schools range from just under 200 students up to 5,000. Both traditional and online students can pursue degrees that merge religious studies with fields like chemistry and history.
Tuition rates at each of the state’s 12 private schools vary greatly. Arkansas’s private colleges and schools cost anywhere between $9,000 and $46,000. Many of these private colleges boast high graduation rates and small class sizes.
Arkansas is perhaps best-known and loved for its countless lakes, Hot Springs National Park, and the United States’ only active diamond mine. However, the Natural State houses many higher education institutes where both traditional and online students can earn associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a full range of disciplines.
With so many affordable schools and competitive on-campus and online degree programs, students attending school in Arkansas have the luxury of combining their individual budget needs with their desired degree paths. For more information on attending school in Arkansas, check out some of the state’s top schools.
What are Arkansas’s Colleges & Universities?
- 5 Research Universities
- 17 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 7 Graduate Schools
- 10 Public Colleges & Universities
- 12 Private Colleges & Universities
- 10 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 16 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 16 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 22 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
- 6 Online Master’s Programs
Arkansas’s Best Overall
There are 7 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Arkansas. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Arkansas is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2023
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Arkansas 2024
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2024
- #1 Best Online Six Sigma Certification
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
- #2 Best Online Master’s in Human Resources
- #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
- #3 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
- #3 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
- #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #8 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
- #9 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #9 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
- #10 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
- #10 Best Online Master's in Special Education
- #10 Best RN to BSN Online
- #11 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #11 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #11 Best Online Master’s in Education
- #13 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
- #19 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #22 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
- #24 Best Online Master's in Management
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
69%
Student body
32K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/24
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas
Cost of Degree: $9,656Expenses: $18,644Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Arkansas known for?
University of Arkansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Law
- History
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Nursing
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
42%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/21
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Cost of Degree: $9,512Expenses: $16,471Starting Salary: $39,500Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Arkansas at Little Rock known for?
University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Medical
- Law
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Biology
- History
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arkansas
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Arkansas 2024
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2024
- #3 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #6 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management
- #7 Best Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Ranked for Students in 2024
- #7 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
- #17 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
- #18 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #20 Best Online MBAs in Finance
- #22 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
- #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
53%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University
Cost of Degree: $7,456Expenses: $17,097Starting Salary: $36,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arkansas State University known for?
Arkansas State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #4 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Arkansas 2024
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024
- #6 Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Ranked for Students in 2024
- #18 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
- #19 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #22 Best Online MBAs in Finance
- #25 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
50%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Central Arkansas
Cost of Degree: $9,778Expenses: $14,870Starting Salary: $42,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Central Arkansas known for?
University of Central Arkansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Literature
- History
- Education
- Political Science
- Communications
- Sociology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #21 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
45%
Graduation
69%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1170/24
Career Outlook for degree at Harding University
Cost of Degree: $23,148Expenses: $12,716Starting Salary: $47,000Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Harding University known for?
Harding University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Business
- History
- Nursing
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2024
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Arkansas 2024
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs
- #13 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #17 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #25 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
- #25 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
49%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/20
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Tech University
Cost of Degree: $8,071Expenses: $14,130Starting Salary: $38,600Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arkansas Tech University known for?
Arkansas Tech University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Business
- Education
- History
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
41%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
925/16
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Cost of Degree: $8,574Expenses: $13,776Starting Salary: $30,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff known for?
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Arkansas’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.