College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas

32 Colleges in Arkansas
2,816 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 32 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,816 degrees in nursing annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School

Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Nursing Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Nursing in Arkansas

The schools below may not offer all types of nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top Arkansas Schools in Nursing

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
182 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$86,275 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences if you wish to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the midsize city of Little Rock, UAMS is a public university with a small student population.

There were about 182 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UAMS in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences get $2,169 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

2
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
283 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$74,940 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat University of Arkansas if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #239 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UARK is a great university overall.

There were roughly 283 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $74,940 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Arkansas

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN Program Name

With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
347 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$85,016 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Arkansas State University - Main Campus if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. A-State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Jonesboro. A Best Colleges rank of #753 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means A-State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 347 nursing students who graduated with this degree at A-State in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $85,016 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from Arkansas State University - Main Campus

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
$70,131 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Arkansas Northeastern College if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public college located in the town of Blytheville.

There were about 20 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Northeastern College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $70,131.

More information about a degree in nursing from Arkansas Northeastern College

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$75,731 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Searcy, Harding is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #640 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Harding is a great university overall.

There were approximately 60 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Harding in the most recent data year. After graduation, nursing degree recipients generally earn about $75,731 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from Harding University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
379 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$76,103 Median Starting Salary

UA Little Rock is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Little Rock. A Best Colleges rank of #1531 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UA Little Rock is a great university overall.

There were approximately 379 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UA Little Rock in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients generally earn about $76,103 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Arkansas at Little Rock

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
127 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$83,778 Median Starting Salary

UCA is a moderately-sized public university located in the small city of Conway. A Best Colleges rank of #1428 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCA is a great university overall.

There were about 127 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UCA in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $83,778 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Central Arkansas

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN Program Name

At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
ATU crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
140 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$68,546 Median Starting Salary

ATU is a moderately-sized public university located in the remote town of Russellville. A Best Colleges rank of #1515 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means ATU is a great university overall.

There were about 140 nursing students who graduated with this degree at ATU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $68,546.

More information about a degree in nursing from Arkansas Tech University

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$67,192 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Bentonville, NWACC is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #785 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means NWACC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 55 nursing students who graduated with this degree at NWACC in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $67,192 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from NorthWest Arkansas Community College

10
JBU crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$67,343 Median Starting Salary

JBU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Siloam Springs. A Best Colleges rank of #829 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means JBU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 16 nursing students who graduated with this degree at JBU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $67,343.

More information about a degree in nursing from John Brown University

Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 7,016
Florida 282 21,034
North Carolina 279 7,329
Virginia 274 6,630
Tennessee 269 5,906
South Carolina 248 3,276
Kentucky 244 6,143
Louisiana 242 3,416
Mississippi 234 2,801
Alabama 233 7,210
West Virginia 207 1,768

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 2,619
Nursing Practice 48
Nursing Science 35
Nurse Anesthetist 31
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 25
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 24
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16
Nursing Administration 13
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 5

View All Nursing Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 2,220
Health Sciences & Services 1,493
Allied Health Professions 1,184
Health & Medical Administrative Services 1,119
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 1,021
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 499
Communication Sciences 358
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 317
Health/Medical Prep Programs 304
Medicine 300

View All Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options