Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Academic Influence Staff

Published: Jun 3, 2022
Updated: Jan 19, 2024

Key Takeaways

There are 10 colleges in Arkansas that offer MBA programs that can be completed online, on campus, or a hybrid mixture of the two.
Distribution & Logistics, Food & Beverage, and Timber & Forest Products are a few of the largest industries in Arkansas, and there are a number of fully online MBA programs that can open career opportunities within these sectors.
The average cost of the best online MBA program in Arkansas are lower than the national average, making the state a great choice for furthering your education.

University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Harding University
Henderson State University
John Brown University
Arkansas Tech University
Southern Arkansas University
Ouachita Baptist University

Arkansas Tech University 94%
University of Central Arkansas 91%
University of Arkansas 79%
Ouachita Baptist University 72%
Henderson State University 71%
Arkansas State University 70%
Southern Arkansas University 64%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
John Brown University 57%
Harding University 45%

University of Arkansas 20 to 1
Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
Henderson State University 16 to 1
John Brown University 15 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
Harding University 15 to 1
University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1

Ouachita Baptist University $31,180
John Brown University $29,720
Harding University $23,148
University of Arkansas $7,666
Southern Arkansas University $7,020
University of Central Arkansas $6,950
Arkansas State University $6,888
University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
Henderson State University $5,880
Arkansas Tech University $5,820

John Brown University $13,920
Ouachita Baptist University $13,500
Harding University $12,399
University of Arkansas $7,875
Arkansas State University $6,282
University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
Henderson State University $5,670
Arkansas Tech University $5,481
Southern Arkansas University $5,472
University of Central Arkansas $5,133

Ouachita Baptist University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
John Brown University
Harding University
Henderson State University
Southern Arkansas University
Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Arkansas

Ouachita Baptist University
Southern Arkansas University
Arkansas Tech University
John Brown University
Henderson State University
Harding University
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas

Harding University 45%
John Brown University 57%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 61%
Southern Arkansas University 64%
Arkansas State University 70%
Henderson State University 71%
Ouachita Baptist University 72%
University of Arkansas 79%
University of Central Arkansas 91%
Arkansas Tech University 94%

University of Arkansas at Little Rock 11 to 1
Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1
University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
John Brown University 15 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
Harding University 15 to 1
Henderson State University 16 to 1
Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
University of Arkansas 20 to 1

Arkansas Tech University $5,820
Henderson State University $5,880
University of Arkansas at Little Rock $6,495
Arkansas State University $6,888
University of Central Arkansas $6,950
Southern Arkansas University $7,020
University of Arkansas $7,666
Harding University $23,148
John Brown University $29,720
Ouachita Baptist University $31,180

University of Central Arkansas $5,133
Southern Arkansas University $5,472
Arkansas Tech University $5,481
Henderson State University $5,670
University of Arkansas at Little Rock $5,760
Arkansas State University $6,282
University of Arkansas $7,875
Harding University $12,399
Ouachita Baptist University $13,500
John Brown University $13,920

Table of Contents

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.

Arkansas is one of the best states for students seeking an online MBA degree without breaking the bank. 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.

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Arkansas

Tuition rates at some of the best online colleges and universities in Arkansas fall below the national average, with just under half providing tuition rates of $9,000 or less. Students can pursue their online MBAs at two of the state’s largest universities, the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University, or choose to attend a less-populated school, such as the Ouachita Baptist University.

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.

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.

What are Arkansas’s Colleges & Universities?

Arkansas’s Best Overall

What’s the Difference between an Online MBA and Traditional MBA?

Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

How do we determine the best online MBA programs in Arkansas?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Location: Arkansas (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $8,145
Avg. Expenses*: $16,386
Avg. Starting Salary*: $83,275
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $87,071
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 4 years
Job Growth: 6.72%
Number of Jobs: 12,486,499
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

Do online MBA programs in Arkansas require the GMAT?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-responsive test designed to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and English reading skills used by graduate management programs, such as MBA programs, to assist with admissions selections.

The GMAT is still required by many graduate schools of all shapes and sizes – elite research universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, online colleges, etc. There’s no real common denominator for which types of schools require the GMAT or don’t.

Of the 10 online MBA programs in Arkansas, five of the programs do not require the GMAT, including:

University of Arkansas
Henderson State University
Southern Arkansas University
John Brown University
Ouachita Baptist University

Note that several of the other programs will waive the GMAT requirement if graduate applicants meet certain criteria.

If you are considering a graduate business school that requires the GMAT, then you certainly want to do well on the exam. Even if schools you’re considering don’t require it, you may want to take the test because a high score could still help your application and because there may be another college that suddenly interests you, and it might require successful completion of the GMAT.

If you’re going to take the test, at minimum, you’ll want to study with solid guidance provided by quality resources. Therefore, we recommend that you start looking at and comparing the best-selling GMAT test guides.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you are aspiring to be admitted into an elite university’s program, you may want to work with a graduate or business school admissions expert. An admissions consultant can give you the most customized information about your prospects, and many will work with you on whatever specific need you might have — test prep, applications, personal essays, and even help with finding meaningful internships.

There are a growing number of high-quality MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT. If standardized testing isn’t a strength of yours, you may want to move your search to focus specifically on online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements.

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

General 30-credit online MBAs usually last about two years. MBAs with specializations, which often count to 60 credits, can last between 2-4 years. Program length will also vary, depending on whether students enroll in a part-time, full-time, or accelerated MBA. Accelerated MBAs can often be completed in as few as 12-18 months.

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

Online MBA courses explore various topics, including corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations. Many online MBA programs require a thesis or professional experience component as well.

Online MBA courses are often asynchronous for maximum flexibility. While online MBA courses can be “self-paced,” there usually are still mid-term and end-of-term deadlines. Typical online MBA courses will have multiple deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments.

What can graduates in Arkansas do with an online MBA?

MBA graduates can advance to leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration, and more. MBAs are popular because of their versatility. With so many choices of concentrations, your online MBA can prepare you for leadership or executive roles in virtually any industry.

Are online MBA degree programs in Arkansas respected by top employers?

The accredited Master’s in Business Administration programs are respected and valued in the job market. Ensuring that a regional accrediting body accredits the online college offering the MBA is essential. Or better yet, ensure that the online MBA program or business school is accredited by one of the following programmatic accrediting agencies:

IACBE: International Accreditation Council for Business Education
AACSB: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
ACBSP: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs

What are the best careers in Arkansas for graduates with an online MBA?

Arkansas has a wide range of top industries that are perfect for graduates of online MBA programs. Numerous leading corporations have set up business in Arkansas, including companies like Lockheed Martin, ConAgra Foods, Georgia-Pacific, and Amazon. The top industries in Arkansas include:

Aerospace & Defense
Food & Beverage
Metals
Timber & Forest Products
Technology
Firearms & Ammunition
Distribution & Logistics
Transportation Equipment

An online MBA at one of the best colleges in Arkansas offers opportunities for specialization through many of the concentration options available in these degree programs.

For example, the University of Arkansas offers a concentration in Supply Chain Management that could boost a graduate’s career opportunities in the Distribution & Logistics, Food & Beverage, or Timber & Forest Products industries. Arkansas State University offers a concentration in Agricultural Business that could translate to a career in the Food & Beverage or the Timber & Forest Products industries.

Likewise, an online MBA with a concentration in Aviation Management, like the one offered at Henderson State University, could lead to a promising career in the Aerospace industry. If technology interests you, a concentration in Cybersecurity from John Brown University could lead to a job in the Technology industry in Arkansas.

Key Takeaway: Pursuing an online MBA with a concentration that is strategically focused on gaining employment in one of the top industries in Arkansas can lead to increased career options with some of the largest corporations in the United States.

Want to explore some of the other online MBA programs in states near you? Some of the best online MBA degrees are in states like Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. An online education can make it easy for students in a neighboring state to complete a degree.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

Key Takeaways

Arkansas's Best Online MBA Programs

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Arkansas

What are Arkansas’s Colleges & Universities?

What’s the Difference between an Online MBA and Traditional MBA?

Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Arkansas

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Arkansas State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Central Arkansas

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Arkansas Tech University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Southern Arkansas University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Henderson State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Harding University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at John Brown University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Ouachita Baptist University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Arkansas

Do online MBA programs in Arkansas require the GMAT?

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

What can graduates in Arkansas do with an online MBA?

Are online MBA degree programs in Arkansas respected by top employers?

What are the best careers in Arkansas for graduates with an online MBA?

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Prospective Grad Students