Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas 2024

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For prospective college students looking for schools that align with their Christian faith and demonstrate academic excellence, here are the best Christian colleges and universities in Arkansas.

10 Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas

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  1. Hendrix College
  2. Harding University
  3. Ouachita Baptist University
  4. Philander Smith University
  5. Lyon College
  6. Crowley's Ridge College
  7. University of the Ozarks
  8. Arkansas Baptist College
  9. Central Baptist College
  10. Williams Baptist University
  1. Hendrix College
  2. Harding University
  3. Philander Smith University
  4. Ouachita Baptist University
  5. Arkansas Baptist College
  6. Lyon College
  7. University of the Ozarks
  8. Crowley's Ridge College
  9. Central Baptist College
  10. Williams Baptist University
  1. Ouachita Baptist University 72%
  2. Central Baptist College 64%
  3. University of the Ozarks 60%
  4. Lyon College 60%
  5. Hendrix College 60%
  6. Williams Baptist University 59%
  7. Harding University 45%
  1. Arkansas Baptist College 23 to 1
  2. Williams Baptist University 16 to 1
  3. Harding University 15 to 1
  4. University of the Ozarks 14 to 1
  5. Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1
  6. Hendrix College 11 to 1
  7. Philander Smith University 11 to 1
  8. Central Baptist College 10 to 1
  9. Crowley's Ridge College 9 to 1
  10. Lyon College 9 to 1
  1. Hendrix College $35,100
  2. Ouachita Baptist University $31,180
  3. Lyon College $31,000
  4. University of the Ozarks $25,950
  5. Harding University $23,148
  6. Williams Baptist University $19,450
  7. Central Baptist College $17,700
  8. Crowley's Ridge College $15,000
  9. Philander Smith University $13,014
  10. Arkansas Baptist College $8,760
  1. Hendrix College $34,750
  2. Ouachita Baptist University $13,500
  3. Harding University $12,399
  1. Williams Baptist University
  2. Central Baptist College
  3. Arkansas Baptist College
  4. University of the Ozarks
  5. Crowley's Ridge College
  6. Lyon College
  7. Philander Smith University
  8. Ouachita Baptist University
  9. Harding University
  10. Hendrix College
  1. Williams Baptist University
  2. Central Baptist College
  3. Crowley's Ridge College
  4. University of the Ozarks
  5. Lyon College
  6. Arkansas Baptist College
  7. Ouachita Baptist University
  8. Philander Smith University
  9. Harding University
  10. Hendrix College
  1. Harding University 45%
  2. Williams Baptist University 59%
  3. Hendrix College 60%
  4. Lyon College 60%
  5. University of the Ozarks 60%
  6. Central Baptist College 64%
  7. Ouachita Baptist University 72%
  1. Crowley's Ridge College 9 to 1
  2. Lyon College 9 to 1
  3. Central Baptist College 10 to 1
  4. Hendrix College 11 to 1
  5. Philander Smith University 11 to 1
  6. Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1
  7. University of the Ozarks 14 to 1
  8. Harding University 15 to 1
  9. Williams Baptist University 16 to 1
  10. Arkansas Baptist College 23 to 1
  1. Arkansas Baptist College $8,760
  2. Philander Smith University $13,014
  3. Crowley's Ridge College $15,000
  4. Central Baptist College $17,700
  5. Williams Baptist University $19,450
  6. Harding University $23,148
  7. University of the Ozarks $25,950
  8. Lyon College $31,000
  9. Ouachita Baptist University $31,180
  10. Hendrix College $35,100
  1. Harding University $12,399
  2. Ouachita Baptist University $13,500
  3. Hendrix College $34,750

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?

Arkansas’s Best Overall

The following list of the best Christian schools consists entirely of colleges and universities that offer four-year undergraduate degrees. We’ve identified 10 Christian colleges in Arkansas. In order to be included in this ranking list of best Christian colleges and universities, a school must self-identify as Christian, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor degree programs.

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Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas 2023

  1. #2

    Harding University

    Searcy , AR
    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: $23,148
    Expenses: $12,716
    Starting Salary: $47,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harding University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Bible And Ministry
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  2. #3

    Ouachita Baptist University

    Arkadelphia , AR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Ouachita Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $31,180
    Expenses: $14,150
    Starting Salary: $46,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Ouachita Baptist University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Christian Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #4

    Philander Smith University

    Little Rock , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Philander Smith University

    Cost of Degree: $13,014
    Expenses: $13,198
    Starting Salary: $27,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Philander Smith University known for?

    Philander Smith University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #5

    Lyon College

    Batesville , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lyon College

    Cost of Degree: $31,000
    Expenses: $14,750
    Starting Salary: $44,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lyon College known for?

    Lyon College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #6

    Crowley's Ridge College

    Paragould , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Crowley's Ridge College

    Cost of Degree: $15,600
    Expenses: $11,680
    Starting Salary: $29,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Crowley's Ridge College known for?

    Crowley's Ridge College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  6. #7

    University of the Ozarks

    Clarksville , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1055/21

    Career Outlook for degree at University of the Ozarks

    Cost of Degree: $25,950
    Starting Salary: $38,600
    What is University of the Ozarks known for?

    University of the Ozarks’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. #8

    Arkansas Baptist College

    Little Rock , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    8%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Baptist College

    Cost of Degree: $8,760
    Expenses: $14,300
    Starting Salary: $25,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Arkansas Baptist College known for?

    Arkansas Baptist College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    962/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Central Baptist College

    Cost of Degree: $17,700
    Expenses: $11,696
    Starting Salary: $43,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Central Baptist College known for?

    Central Baptist College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  9. #10

    Williams Baptist University

    Walnut Ridge , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Williams Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $19,450
    Expenses: $13,340
    Starting Salary: $36,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Williams Baptist University known for?

    Williams Baptist University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Arkansas’s Best Christian Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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.

  1. Hendrix College
  2. Lyon College
  3. Ouachita Baptist University
  4. Philander Smith University
  5. Harding University
  6. University of the Ozarks
  7. Crowley's Ridge College
  8. Williams Baptist University
  9. Central Baptist College
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