Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN ARKANSAS

Published: Dec 20, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

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

University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
Ouachita Baptist University
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas Tech University
Southern Arkansas University
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
University of Arkansas Grantham

University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas Tech University
Southern Arkansas University
Ouachita Baptist University
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
University of Arkansas Grantham

Arkansas Tech University 94%
University of Central Arkansas 91%
University of Arkansas 79%
Ouachita Baptist University 72%
Arkansas State University 70%
Southern Arkansas University 64%

University of Arkansas Grantham 33 to 1
University of Arkansas 20 to 1
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith 19 to 1
Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1

Ouachita Baptist University $31,180
University of Arkansas Grantham $8,280
University of Arkansas $7,666
Southern Arkansas University $7,020
University of Central Arkansas $6,950
Arkansas State University $6,888
Arkansas Tech University $5,820
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith $4,200

Ouachita Baptist University $13,500
University of Arkansas $7,875
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith $7,092
Arkansas State University $6,282
Arkansas Tech University $5,481
Southern Arkansas University $5,472
University of Central Arkansas $5,133
University of Arkansas Grantham $4,200

University of Arkansas Grantham
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
Southern Arkansas University
Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Arkansas
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkansas State University
University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas Grantham
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
Ouachita Baptist University
Southern Arkansas University
Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Arkansas

Southern Arkansas University 64%
Arkansas State University 70%
Ouachita Baptist University 72%
University of Arkansas 79%
University of Central Arkansas 91%
Arkansas Tech University 94%

Ouachita Baptist University 12 to 1
University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
Arkansas Tech University 18 to 1
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith 19 to 1
University of Arkansas 20 to 1
University of Arkansas Grantham 33 to 1

University of Arkansas–Fort Smith $4,200
Arkansas Tech University $5,820
Arkansas State University $6,888
University of Central Arkansas $6,950
Southern Arkansas University $7,020
University of Arkansas $7,666
University of Arkansas Grantham $8,280
Ouachita Baptist University $31,180

University of Arkansas Grantham $4,200
University of Central Arkansas $5,133
Southern Arkansas University $5,472
Arkansas Tech University $5,481
Arkansas State University $6,282
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith $7,092
University of Arkansas $7,875
Ouachita Baptist University $13,500

Table of Contents

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

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.

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.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

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 Colleges in Arkansas 2023

#1
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville , AR
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025
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: $9,748
Expenses: $20,260
Starting Salary: $52,700
Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
Compare school
#2
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro , AR
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025
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: $7,754
Expenses: $18,472
Starting Salary: $36,600
Cost Recoup Time: 13 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
Compare school
#3
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia , AR
#3 Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2025
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
65%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/24
Career Outlook for degree at Ouachita Baptist University
Cost of Degree: $32,480
Expenses: $15,018
Starting Salary: $46,000
Cost Recoup Time: 16 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
Compare school
#4
University of Central Arkansas
Conway , AR
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025 #4 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
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: $10,118
Expenses: $15,339
Starting Salary: $42,500
Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
Compare school
#5
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville , AR
#5 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
49%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/20
Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Tech University
Cost of Degree: $8,508
Expenses: $15,186
Starting Salary: $38,600
Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
Compare school
#6
Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia , AR
#6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas 2025 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #8 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
45%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1047/20
Career Outlook for degree at Southern Arkansas University
Cost of Degree: $9,820
Expenses: $15,820
Starting Salary: $39,000
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BBA/MBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 150
Completion time: 5 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
Fort Smith , AR
#10 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
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: $35,000
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#8
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock , AR
#3 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #18 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2025 #19 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
Other Rankings
- #20 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2025
- #20 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
25%
Student body
9K
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
Compare school

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Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Arkanasas

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Arkansas

What are Arkansas’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Ouachita Baptist University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Central Arkansas

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Tech University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Southern Arkansas University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith

Online Degrees

Online Degrees