Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2026

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN ARKANSAS
By Dr. James Barham
Updated:

Find the best online colleges in Arkansas ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Arkanasas in 2026

  1. University of Arkansas
  2. Arkansas State University
  3. University of Central Arkansas
    +1
  4. Ouachita Baptist University
    –1
  5. Southern Arkansas University
    +1
  6. Arkansas Tech University
    –1
  7. University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
  8. University of Arkansas Grantham

Featured Programs

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

Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
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Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2023

  1. #1

    University of Arkansas

    Fayetteville , AR
    #1 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #1 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #1 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    35K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas

    Cost of Degree: $9,748
    Expenses: $20,260
    Starting Salary: $63,588
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • General Business
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Education

    Concentrations

    • Human Resources and Workforce Development Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Development and Family Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing (Rn To Bsn)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  2. #2

    Arkansas State University

    Jonesboro , AR
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #2 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,754
    Expenses: $18,472
    Starting Salary: $47,220
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BAS in Applied Science
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Creative Media Production
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Digital Innovation
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Organizational Supervision
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Strategic Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
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  3. #3

    University of Central Arkansas

    Conway , AR
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #4 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2026 #4 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1040/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Central Arkansas

    Cost of Degree: $10,118
    Expenses: $15,339
    Starting Salary: $49,756
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Addiction Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BBA in General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Insurance And Risk Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management Information Systems

    Concentrations

    • Business Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
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  4. #4

    Ouachita Baptist University

    Arkadelphia , AR
    #3 Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #3 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #5 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Ouachita Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $32,480
    Expenses: $15,018
    Starting Salary: $52,333
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Christian Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
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  6. #5

    Southern Arkansas University

    Magnolia , AR
    #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #8 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #8 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Arkansas University

    Cost of Degree: $9,820
    Expenses: $15,820
    Starting Salary: $46,635
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BBA/MBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 150
    • Completion time: 5 years
    • Format: Online
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  7. #6

    Arkansas Tech University

    Russellville , AR
    #7 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #9 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Tech University

    Cost of Degree: $8,508
    Expenses: $15,186
    Starting Salary: $46,008
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Science
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Creative Writing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice And Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management And Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in English
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Agriculture Business
    • Child Development
    • Inter-College
    • Public Relations
    • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    • Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BPS in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
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  8. #7

    University of Arkansas–Fort Smith

    Fort Smith , AR
    #10 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith

    Cost of Degree: $6,906
    Expenses: $16,231
    Starting Salary: $44,252
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
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  9. #8

    University of Arkansas Grantham

    LIttle Rock , AR
    #20 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2026 #10 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas 2026 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #18 Best Inexpensive Online Bachelors Degree Programs Ranked for 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas Grantham

    Cost of Degree: $8,280
    Starting Salary: $40,581

    Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Engineering Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Electronics Engineering Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Engineering Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Health Information Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Multidisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Strategic Communications
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
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