Best small colleges in Arkansas
Colleges with fewer than 2,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best small colleges in Arkansas13 schools
13 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Arkansas.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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
- 2
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofit#2 in Arkansas
- 1,882 undergraduates
- 72% graduate
- 3
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR · Private nonprofit#5 in Arkansas
- 1,734 undergraduates
- 61% graduate
- 4
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, AR · Private nonprofit#8 in Arkansas
- 763 undergraduates
- 51% graduate
- 5
- 6
Central Baptist College
Conway, AR · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low net price
- 550 undergraduates
- 34% graduate
- 7
Philander Smith University
Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit#16 in Arkansas
- 848 undergraduates
- 30% graduate
- 8
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- 1,905 undergraduates
- 40% graduate
- 9
- 10
Ecclesia College
Springdale, AR · Private nonprofitTop 15% for low debt
- 138 undergraduates
- 40% graduate
- 11
Crowley's Ridge College
Paragould, AR · Private nonprofit#21 in Arkansas
- 225 undergraduates
- 36% graduate
- 12
Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge, AR · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- 491 undergraduates
- 26% graduate
- 13
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofitTop 17% for low net price
- 373 undergraduates
- 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% |
| Ouachita Baptist University | $22,409 | $21,050 | $51,673 | 61% |
| University of the Ozarks | $17,360 | $20,875 | $44,384 | 51% |
| Lyon College | $19,616 | $21,500 | $44,232 | 47% |
| 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% |
| 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 10
- Arizona 8
- California 63
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 10
- Florida 27
- Georgia 24
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 25
- Indiana 20
- Iowa 23
- Kansas 18
- Kentucky 18
- Louisiana 8
- Maine 11
- Maryland 13
- Massachusetts 31
- Michigan 23
- Minnesota 19
- Mississippi 8
- Missouri 31
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 12
- New Hampshire 7
- New Jersey 18
- New Mexico 7
- New York 55
- North Carolina 34
- North Dakota 4
- Ohio 58
- Oklahoma 11
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 69
- Puerto Rico 31
- South Carolina 19
- South Dakota 5
- Tennessee 24
- Texas 31
- Utah 7
- Vermont 4
- Virginia 30
- Washington 12
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 15