Best colleges for communications and journalism in Arkansas
Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for communications and journalism in Arkansas18 schools
18 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Arkansas.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofit#2 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 2
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR · Public#3 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 31%
- 3
Harding University
Searcy, AR · Private nonprofit#4 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 4
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR · Private nonprofit#5 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 5
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Monticello, AR · Public#6 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 6
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · PublicTop 23% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 39%
- 7
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, AR · Private nonprofit#8 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 8
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR · Public#9 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 9
Lyon College
Batesville, AR · Private nonprofit#10 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 10
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR · Public#11 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 11
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 44%
- 12
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Magnolia, AR · Public#13 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 41%
- 13
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR · PublicTop 11% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 5%
- 14
Central Baptist College
Conway, AR · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 15
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 16
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR · PublicTop 17% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 30%
- 17
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR · Public#19 in Arkansas
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 18
Ecclesia College
Springdale, AR · Private nonprofitTop 15% for low debt
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown University | $20,397 | $21,250 | $53,907 | 72% |
| University of Arkansas | $18,209 | $21,500 | $58,191 | 71% |
| Harding University | $22,130 | $26,500 | $52,876 | 69% |
| Ouachita Baptist University | $22,409 | $21,050 | $51,673 | 61% |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | $14,287 | $19,971 | $36,902 | 49% |
| Arkansas State University | $12,366 | $20,500 | $42,617 | 55% |
| University of the Ozarks | $17,360 | $20,875 | $44,384 | 51% |
| University of Central Arkansas | $16,511 | $20,346 | $45,938 | 54% |
| Lyon College | $19,616 | $21,500 | $44,232 | 47% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $17,248 | $22,000 | $45,265 | 42% |
| Arkansas Tech University | $12,970 | $21,000 | $41,766 | 49% |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | $14,027 | $18,750 | $42,386 | 49% |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | $8,370 | $21,956 | $63,496 | 43% |
| Central Baptist College | $12,287 | $22,250 | $46,789 | 34% |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | $12,653 | $24,202 | $35,550 | 40% |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $10,574 | $18,250 | $41,102 | 38% |
| Henderson State University | $23,405 | $19,500 | $43,459 | 37% |
| Ecclesia College | $22,075 | $13,019 | $40,650 | 40% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 21
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 9
- California 70
- Colorado 13
- Connecticut 19
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 7
- Florida 39
- Georgia 38
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 48
- Indiana 39
- Iowa 25
- Kansas 21
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 18
- Maine 6
- Maryland 18
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 36
- Minnesota 29
- Mississippi 14
- Missouri 38
- Montana 4
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 3
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 23
- New Mexico 4
- New York 82
- North Carolina 42
- North Dakota 8
- Ohio 59
- Oklahoma 20
- Oregon 17
- Pennsylvania 90
- Puerto Rico 12
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 25
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 29
- Texas 64
- Utah 8
- Vermont 7
- Virginia 34
- Washington 19
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 27