Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2024

BEST IN ARKANSAS GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

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

Sort by:
  1. University of Arkansas
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  3. Arkansas State University
  4. University of Central Arkansas
  5. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  6. Harding University
  7. Arkansas Tech University
  1. Arkansas Tech University 94%
  2. University of Central Arkansas 92%
  3. University of Arkansas 83%
  4. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 68%
  5. Arkansas State University 63%
  6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 58%
  7. Harding University 54%
  1. University of Arkansas 19 to 1
  2. Arkansas Tech University 17 to 1
  3. University of Central Arkansas 15 to 1
  4. Harding University 14 to 1
  5. Arkansas State University 14 to 1
  6. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14 to 1
  7. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13 to 1
  1. Harding University $22,230
  2. University of Arkansas $7,666
  3. University of Central Arkansas $6,870
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
  5. Arkansas Tech University $5,736
  6. Arkansas State University $5,232
  7. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,130
  1. Harding University $10,540
  2. University of Arkansas $7,875
  3. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
  4. Arkansas Tech University $5,414
  5. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,184
  6. University of Central Arkansas $5,063
  7. Arkansas State University $4,986
  1. Arkansas Tech University
  2. Harding University
  3. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  4. University of Central Arkansas
  5. Arkansas State University
  6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  7. University of Arkansas
  1. Harding University 54%
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 58%
  3. Arkansas State University 63%
  4. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 68%
  5. University of Arkansas 83%
  6. University of Central Arkansas 92%
  7. Arkansas Tech University 94%
  1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13 to 1
  2. Harding University 14 to 1
  3. Arkansas State University 14 to 1
  4. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14 to 1
  5. University of Central Arkansas 15 to 1
  6. Arkansas Tech University 17 to 1
  7. University of Arkansas 19 to 1
  1. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,130
  2. Arkansas State University $5,232
  3. Arkansas Tech University $5,736
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
  5. University of Central Arkansas $6,870
  6. University of Arkansas $7,666
  7. Harding University $22,230
  1. Arkansas State University $4,986
  2. University of Central Arkansas $5,063
  3. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,184
  4. Arkansas Tech University $5,414
  5. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
  6. University of Arkansas $7,875
  7. Harding University $10,540

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


Arkansas's Best Grad Schools Badge
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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.

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Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2023

  1. #1

    University of Arkansas

    Fayetteville , AR
    #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    What is University of Arkansas known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Arkansas State University

    Jonesboro , AR
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/23

    What is Arkansas State University known for?

    Arkansas State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Arkansas’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

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.

  1. University of Arkansas
  2. Arkansas State University
  3. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  5. University of Central Arkansas
  6. Harding University
  7. Arkansas Tech University
  8. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

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