Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2024

Badge for BEST IN ARKANSAS GRADUATE SCHOOLS

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

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  1. University of Arkansas
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  3. Arkansas State University
  4. University of Central Arkansas
  5. Harding University
  6. Arkansas Tech University
  7. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  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 91%
  3. University of Arkansas 79%
  4. Arkansas State University 70%
  5. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 69%
  6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
  7. Harding University 45%
  1. University of Arkansas 20 to 1
  2. Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
  3. Harding University 15 to 1
  4. Arkansas State University 15 to 1
  5. University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
  6. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 13 to 1
  7. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
  1. Harding University $23,148
  2. University of Arkansas $7,666
  3. University of Central Arkansas $6,950
  4. Arkansas State University $6,888
  5. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
  6. Arkansas Tech University $5,820
  7. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,640
  1. Harding University $12,399
  2. University of Arkansas $7,875
  3. Arkansas State University $6,282
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
  5. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,712
  6. Arkansas Tech University $5,481
  7. University of Central Arkansas $5,133
  1. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  2. Arkansas Tech University
  3. Harding University
  4. University of Central Arkansas
  5. Arkansas State University
  6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  7. University of Arkansas
  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 45%
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
  3. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 69%
  4. Arkansas State University 70%
  5. University of Arkansas 79%
  6. University of Central Arkansas 91%
  7. Arkansas Tech University 94%
  1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
  2. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 13 to 1
  3. University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
  4. Harding University 15 to 1
  5. Arkansas State University 15 to 1
  6. Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
  7. University of Arkansas 20 to 1
  1. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,640
  2. Arkansas Tech University $5,820
  3. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
  4. Arkansas State University $6,888
  5. University of Central Arkansas $6,950
  6. University of Arkansas $7,666
  7. Harding University $23,148
  1. University of Central Arkansas $5,133
  2. Arkansas Tech University $5,481
  3. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $5,712
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
  5. Arkansas State University $6,282
  6. University of Arkansas $7,875
  7. 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?

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
    Other Rankings

    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: $9,656
    Expenses: $18,644
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    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: $7,456
    Expenses: $17,097
    Starting Salary: $36,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. 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: $8,574
    Expenses: $13,776
    Starting Salary: $30,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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

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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.

  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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