Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024

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Interested in attending a STEM school in Arkansas? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024

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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
  1. University of Arkansas
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  3. Arkansas State University
  4. University of Central Arkansas
  5. Harding University
  1. University of Central Arkansas 91%
  2. University of Arkansas 79%
  3. Arkansas State University 70%
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
  5. Harding University 45%
  1. University of Arkansas 20 to 1
  2. Harding University 15 to 1
  3. Arkansas State University 15 to 1
  4. University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
  5. 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
  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 Central Arkansas $5,133
  1. Harding University
  2. University of Central Arkansas
  3. Arkansas State University
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  5. University of Arkansas
  1. Harding University
  2. University of Central Arkansas
  3. Arkansas State University
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  5. University of Arkansas
  1. Harding University 45%
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
  3. Arkansas State University 70%
  4. University of Arkansas 79%
  5. University of Central Arkansas 91%
  1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
  2. University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
  3. Harding University 15 to 1
  4. Arkansas State University 15 to 1
  5. University of Arkansas 20 to 1
  1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
  2. Arkansas State University $6,888
  3. University of Central Arkansas $6,950
  4. University of Arkansas $7,666
  5. Harding University $23,148
  1. University of Central Arkansas $5,133
  2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
  3. Arkansas State University $6,282
  4. University of Arkansas $7,875
  5. 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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Arkansas's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 5 research universities in Arkansas. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities 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

    University of Arkansas’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • General Business
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Resources And Workforce Development Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Development And Family Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  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

    Arkansas State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Organizational Supervision
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Digital Innovation
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Creative Media Production
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Strategic Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Nursing: RN to BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    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: $9,778
    Expenses: $14,870
    Starting Salary: $42,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Central Arkansas’s Online Degrees

    BBA in General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Insurance And Risk Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #5

    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
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Find the Best Research Universities in Arkansas for 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. University of Arkansas
  2. Arkansas State University
  3. Harding University
  4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  5. University of Central Arkansas

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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