Best colleges in Arkansas
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Arkansas23 schools
23 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Arkansas.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 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.
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John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofit#2 in Arkansas
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 72% graduate
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Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR · Private nonprofit#5 in Arkansas
- Value grade B
- 61% graduate
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Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · PublicTop 23% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 39%
- 55% graduate
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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR · Public#11 in Arkansas
- Value grade B
- 42% graduate
- 12
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 44%
- 49% graduate
- 13
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Magnolia, AR · Public#13 in Arkansas
- Value grade B · Top 41%
- 49% graduate
- 14
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR · PublicTop 11% for low net price
- Value grade A · Top 5%
- 43% graduate
- 15
Central Baptist College
Conway, AR · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 34% graduate
- 16
Philander Smith University
Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit#16 in Arkansas
- Value grade B-
- 30% graduate
- 17
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Value grade B-
- 40% graduate
- 18
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR · PublicTop 17% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 30%
- 38% graduate
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Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge, AR · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Value grade B-
- 26% graduate
- 23
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofitTop 17% for low net price
- Value grade C+
- 7% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | $24,149 | $26,688 | $60,376 | 72% |
| 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% |
| Philander Smith University | $14,224 | $24,736 | $38,427 | 30% |
| 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% |
| Crowley's Ridge College | $16,315 | $26,228 | $39,533 | 36% |
| Williams Baptist University | $15,745 | $21,820 | $38,484 | 26% |
| Arkansas Baptist College | $10,627 | $25,375 | $28,418 | 7% |
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 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3