Best Community Colleges in Arkansas 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Arkansas offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
10 Best Community Colleges in Arkansas
- Northwest Arkansas Community College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
- North Arkansas College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
- Cossatot Community College
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- National Park College
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Southeast Arkansas College
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
- Northwest Arkansas Community College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
- North Arkansas College
- Southern Arkansas University Tech
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- Southeast Arkansas College
- Cossatot Community College
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Black River Technical College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton 20 to 1
- Cossatot Community College 17 to 1
- Arkansas Northeastern College 17 to 1
- Black River Technical College 16 to 1
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain 16 to 1
- Arkansas State University-Beebe 15 to 1
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College 15 to 1
- National Park College 14 to 1
- Arkansas State University–Mountain Home 14 to 1
- Northwest Arkansas Community College 13 to 1
- Southern Arkansas University Tech $4,519
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College $4,140
- Northwest Arkansas Community College $3,480
- National Park College $3,300
- Southeast Arkansas College $3,000
- East Arkansas Community College $2,940
- Arkansas State University Mid-South $2,832
- Ozarka College $2,790
- Cossatot Community College $2,700
- North Arkansas College $2,664
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain
- Arkansas State University–Mountain Home
- Arkansas State University Three Rivers
- East Arkansas Community College
- Arkansas Northeastern College
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
- Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
- South Arkansas Community College
- Ozarka College
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain
- Arkansas State University–Mountain Home
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
- Arkansas Northeastern College
- East Arkansas Community College
- Ozarka College
- National Park College
- South Arkansas Community College
- Arkansas State University Three Rivers
- Southeast Arkansas College 9 to 1
- Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas 10 to 1
- Arkansas State University-Newport 11 to 1
- Arkansas State University Mid-South 11 to 1
- Southern Arkansas University Tech 11 to 1
- East Arkansas Community College 11 to 1
- North Arkansas College 12 to 1
- Arkansas State University Three Rivers 12 to 1
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana 12 to 1
- Northwest Arkansas Community College 13 to 1
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville $2,256
- South Arkansas Community College $2,328
- Arkansas Northeastern College $2,352
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain $2,376
- Arkansas State University-Newport $2,400
- Black River Technical College $2,448
- Arkansas State University–Mountain Home $2,472
- Arkansas State University Three Rivers $2,496
- Arkansas State University-Beebe $2,544
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana $2,550
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
We’ve identified 22 community colleges in Arkansas. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Arkansas.
If you’re interested in an online associate degree, visit our best online associate degrees in Arkansas page.
Best Community Colleges in Arkansas
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
25%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Arkansas Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,450Starting Salary: $37,100What is Northwest Arkansas Community College known for?
Northwest Arkansas Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
62%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
Cost of Degree: $3,126Starting Salary: $30,300What is University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville known for?
University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
32%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at North Arkansas College
Cost of Degree: $3,408Expenses: $14,331Starting Salary: $28,900Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is North Arkansas College known for?
North Arkansas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
36%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Cost of Degree: $3,576Starting Salary: $31,600What is University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton known for?
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
46%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Cossatot Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,100Starting Salary: $28,000What is Cossatot Community College known for?
Cossatot Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
What is Arkansas State University-Newport known for?
Arkansas State University-Newport’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
26%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at National Park College
Cost of Degree: $5,650Expenses: $11,974Starting Salary: $28,100Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryTuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
38%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University-Beebe
Cost of Degree: $3,024Expenses: $13,958Starting Salary: $32,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arkansas State University-Beebe known for?
Arkansas State University-Beebe’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
24%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Southeast Arkansas College
Cost of Degree: $4,200Starting Salary: $29,700What is Southeast Arkansas College known for?
Southeast Arkansas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
43%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University Mid-South
Cost of Degree: $3,346Starting Salary: $26,700What is Arkansas State University Mid-South known for?
Arkansas State University Mid-South’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Black River Technical College
Cost of Degree: $4,440Starting Salary: $29,100What is Black River Technical College known for?
Black River Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Southern Arkansas University Tech
Cost of Degree: $4,830Expenses: $12,252Starting Salary: $31,200Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southern Arkansas University Tech known for?
Southern Arkansas University Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
47%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Ozarka College
Cost of Degree: $3,820Expenses: $12,340Starting Salary: $28,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryTuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at South Arkansas Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,324Starting Salary: $32,700What is South Arkansas Community College known for?
South Arkansas Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
46%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Cost of Degree: $3,500Starting Salary: $26,200What is Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas known for?
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2025 #15 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
23%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
Cost of Degree: $5,820Starting Salary: $30,700What is University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College known for?
University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
42%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Northeastern College
Cost of Degree: $2,822Starting Salary: $30,800What is Arkansas Northeastern College known for?
Arkansas Northeastern College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
41%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at East Arkansas Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,120Starting Salary: $26,800What is East Arkansas Community College known for?
East Arkansas Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
36%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University Three Rivers
Cost of Degree: $3,356Starting Salary: $31,000What is Arkansas State University Three Rivers known for?
Arkansas State University Three Rivers’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
57%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain
Cost of Degree: $3,720Expenses: $13,921Starting Salary: $24,100Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryTuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
42%
Student body
2K
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
- Southeast Arkansas College
- South Arkansas Community College
- Black River Technical College
- Northwest Arkansas Community College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
- Cossatot Community College
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
- Southern Arkansas University
- Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
- National Park College
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- North Arkansas College
- East Arkansas Community College
- Arkansas State University–Mountain Home
- Ozarka College
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana