Best Colleges in Arkansas

The top public college in the state, the University of Arkansas offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs. U of A offers a wide variety of career-oriented programs, including bachelor's programs in agricultural business, architecture, and brewing science. Learners can also earn a certificate in one of 36 areas, such as criminal law or project management.

U of A's online degrees appeal to all learners, charging all online students the same in-state tuition rate. Online programs use asynchronous formats, benefiting students with full-time jobs or other responsibilities. Online programs feature options not available to on-campus students, including licensure and endorsement programs for Arkansas teachers.

Prospective undergraduates can submit the U of A application or the Common Application. The university offers scholarship opportunities for freshmen, transfer students, and out-of-state learners. Active-duty military personnel and veterans qualify for an additional $4,000 in financial aid in addition to federally funded tuition benefits.

Situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University educates over 14,000 students each year. Bachelor's degrees at this Arkansas university include agricultural studies, electrical engineering, and interdisciplinary - family studies. Online learners can choose from 30 degree and certificate options, and the fully online master's program in teaching qualifies graduates for initial Arkansas teaching licensure.

A-State students can visit the Career Management Center to attend job fairs, receive resume critiques, or practice interviewing skills. Other student services include personal and academic counselors who work with learners in one-on-one and small-group settings.

A-State requires a minimum 2.75 high school GPA or 600 GED score. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still gain conditional admission. Incoming degree-seekers without a minimum 21 ACT score must take the COMPASS exam to determine initial English and math course placements. Financial aid opportunities include four institutional scholarships.

Situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University educates over 14,000 students each year. Bachelor's degrees at this Arkansas university include agricultural studies, electrical engineering, and interdisciplinary - family studies. Online learners can choose from 30 degree and certificate options, and the fully online master's program in teaching qualifies graduates for initial Arkansas teaching licensure.

A-State students can visit the Career Management Center to attend job fairs, receive resume critiques, or practice interviewing skills. Other student services include personal and academic counselors who work with learners in one-on-one and small-group settings.

A-State requires a minimum 2.75 high school GPA or 600 GED score. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still gain conditional admission. Incoming degree-seekers without a minimum 21 ACT score must take the COMPASS exam to determine initial English and math course placements. Financial aid opportunities include four institutional scholarships.

A member of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Ouachita Baptist University delivers degrees and pre-professional programs in dozens of areas. The university features degrees in biblical languages, Christian media, and worship ministry, among other programs that train the next generation of lay and ordained ministers. Online degrees include associate and bachelor's programs in Christian studies as well as a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies.

Academically gifted students at OBU can apply to the Carl Goodson Honors Program, which requires an additional 13 credits of honors courses. Learners in the program benefit from priority course and housing registration, travel grants, and networking events. All honors program participants also complete service-learning projects.

Admission requirements for this Arkansas university include a minimum 2.5 high school GPA and a 20 ACT or 1020 SAT score. There is no additional application to qualify for a merit scholarship, which awards recipients up to $18,500 per year.

A public university located in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas features undergraduate degrees in six fields, including business, fine arts and communication, and health and behavioral sciences. The graduate school features master's and doctoral degrees in areas like communication sciences, history, and mental health counseling. The Schedler Honors College admits incoming undergraduates who possess a minimum 3.5 high school GPA. Honors students automatically receive a $5,000 scholarship and a private dorm room.

Student life at UCA provides undergraduate and graduate degree-seekers with multiple opportunities to network, collaborate, and socialize outside of class. Learners can choose from more than 200 recognized student organizations.

Undergraduate applicants submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Some applicants to this Arkansas university who do not meet the GPA cutoff may still receive conditional admission. UCA boasts dozens of institutional scholarships. Degree-seekers need only submit one form to apply for all university-funded scholarship opportunities.

At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, students can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree through one of six schools in areas like business, law, and communication. Undergraduates can choose from more than 60 majors as well as dozens of online degree options. Graduate programs train the next generation of business, communication, and education leaders.

Outside of class, degree-seekers can join one of 73 registered student organizations such as the Aikido Club, the Writers Network, or the Graduate Student Association. Counseling resources at this Arkansas university include small-group and one-on-one sessions. Learners can also submit anonymous tips if a peer needs help.

Applicants with GED certificates receive unconditional admission if they also score at least a 19 on the ACT. To apply for financial aid, incoming undergraduates must submit FAFSA results and the Trojan SMART Application by the December 1 priority deadline.

A private college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Hendrix College educates over 1,300 learners on its Conway campus annually. All students gain a liberal arts education and take interdisciplinary courses that blend liberal arts topics during their freshman year. As learners progress through the four-year program, they select an academic focus, similar to the way students at other colleges select a major. With its unconventional undergraduate curriculum, Hendrix does not offer any online degrees.

The learning commons at Hendrix provides students with one-on-one academic advising and tutoring resources, and the college introduces new degree-seekers to student life through a one-week orientation session during the fall semester. Popular clubs and organizations include the Environmental Concerns Committee, the Climbing Coalition, and the Culinary Club.

Hendrix does not accept GED certificates. Applicants must submit high school transcripts, recommendation letters, and an essay. The college's Tuition Advantage program provides significant cost savings to academically gifted degree-seekers.

An excellent choice for students planning to enter a STEM profession, Arkansas Tech University awards associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees as well as professional certificates. This Arkansas university offers multiple bachelor's programs in the biological sciences, computer and information science, and electrical engineering. Online programs at ATU include an associate in law enforcement and an RN-to-BSN program.

At ATU, degree-seekers nearing graduation can sign in online to apply for jobs and set up on-campus interviews. Other student support services include theLink, a unique search engine that connects learners to tutors, organizations, and campus events.

Prospective students can apply for the spring or fall semester. Applicants should have a minimum score of 19 on the ACT and at least a 2.0 high school GPA. Transfer credits must reflect a minimum 2.0 undergraduate GPA. This Arkansas university boasts multiple scholarships, many of which incoming learners receive automatically if they meet GPA and test score cutoffs.

With an average class size of only 15 students, Lyon College is a great choice for prospective learners who want an individualized academic experience. Undergraduates can select from 17 majors, 14 concentrations, and 23 minors. Academic programs include a concentration in military science and a minor in Celtic studies. All degree-seekers complete a robust core curriculum that emphasizes English, history, and the natural sciences.

Lyon boasts 14 honor societies for learners who maintain excellent grades. Student life at this Arkansas college also features intramural sports like archery, lacrosse, and disc golf. Learners approaching graduation – as well as alumni – can visit the career center to receive resume critiques or practice interviewing skills. Advisors also help students create a personal brand they can present to prospective employers.

Lyon requires that applicants submit a high school diploma and ACT or SAT scores. Students interested in college-funded financial aid opportunities should submit the YOUniversal Scholarship Application by the June 1 deadline.

Southern Arkansas University delivers more than 80 degrees and programs, including undergraduate programs in agricultural sciences like animal science, plant science, and veterinary science. Graduate students can earn a master's in teaching, which qualifies them for an initial Arkansas teaching license. Online education at SAU features more than 30 degree and certificate options.

The Honors College at SAU uses a cohort learning model for all four years. Honors students take experiential-learning trips to sites throughout the state and live together at the university's Honors Hall. All Honors College degree-seekers receive an annual stipend of $600 to cover academic expenses.

Prospective undergraduates submit high school transcripts or GED scores as well as SAT or ACT scores. Incoming students who earned a score of 30 or above on the ACT automatically receive a Presidential Scholarship, which awards them $5,000 a semester for eight semesters.