2027 Best Value Education Schools in Arkansas
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas this year. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Education graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Education graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Early-career education graduates make about $21,186.
Black River Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $41,888. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Ozarka College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Education graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Education graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $48,116 early in their careers. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Arkansas Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Education graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Northeastern College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $23,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $4,380. Students borrow a median of $8,110 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid South Community College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville landed the #9 spot for education value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $64,187. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College came in at #10 for value in education this year. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,386. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. That is a strong return on a $15,386 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $44,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #12 position for value in education this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,758. Education graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,758 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home placed #13 among the best values for education. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,097 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $16,955 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $40,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,955 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $18,025 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $38,948 early in their careers. Set against $10,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Education graduates carry a median of $24,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $49,573. That is a strong return on a $24,691 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,042. Education graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $43,629 early in their careers. Set against $24,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #19 spot for education value this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,536. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,516. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $45,167. Set against $12,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
National Park Community College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Education graduates carry a median of $14,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,525 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Education graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pulaski Technical College came in at #23 for value in education this year. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,849. Early-career education graduates make about $32,554. Set against $14,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williams Baptist College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,070 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Education graduates of Williams Baptist College earn a median of $31,309 early in their careers. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Education graduates carry a median of $24,812 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
