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Best colleges in Arkansas

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
RankSchoolCompass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data on outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching. The ring shows where the college stands.AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
1Hendrix CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Conway, ARA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 16%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
2John Brown UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Siloam Springs, ARB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 27%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
3University of ArkansasRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Fayetteville, ARB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%
4Harding UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Searcy, ARB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 22%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
5Ouachita Baptist UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Arkadelphia, ARB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
6University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, ARBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 47%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
7Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, ARB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 39%
8University of the OzarksClarksville, ARBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
9University of Central ArkansasConway, ARBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 50%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
10Lyon CollegeBatesville, ARBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 38%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
11University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, ARB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
12Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, ARB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 44%
13Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, ARB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 41%
14University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 5%
15Central Baptist CollegeConway, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 34%
16Philander Smith UniversityLittle Rock, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
17University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, ARB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
18University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 30%
19Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
20Ecclesia CollegeSpringdale, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
21Crowley's Ridge CollegeParagould, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
22Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
23Arkansas Baptist CollegeLittle Rock, ARC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first

  1. 1
    Hendrix CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Conway, AR
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 16%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  2. 2
    John Brown UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Siloam Springs, AR
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 27%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
  3. 3
    University of ArkansasRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Fayetteville, AR
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%
  4. 4
    Harding UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Searcy, AR
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 22%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  5. 5
    Ouachita Baptist UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Arkadelphia, AR
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 31%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  6. 6
    University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, AR
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 47%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  7. 7
    Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 39%
  8. 8
    University of the OzarksClarksville, AR
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  9. 9
    University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 50%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
  10. 10
    Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 38%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  11. 11
    University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  12. 12
    Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 44%
  13. 13
    Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 41%
  14. 14
    University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueAValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 5%
  15. 15
    Central Baptist CollegeConway, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 34%
  16. 16
    Philander Smith UniversityLittle Rock, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  17. 17
    University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  18. 18
    University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 30%
  19. 19
    Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  20. 20
    Ecclesia CollegeSpringdale, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  21. 21
    Crowley's Ridge CollegeParagould, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  22. 22
    Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  23. 23
    Arkansas Baptist CollegeLittle Rock, AR
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.

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