2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas
With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Arkansas Colleges for a Bachelor's ranking - to help you make that decision.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Finding Your Best School Match
Our analysis looked at 17 schools in Arkansas to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their bachelor's degree.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty bachelor's recipients will have paying back their loans.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
More Rankings to View
You may also want to
narrow this list by location to find the best bachelor's degree schools nearest you. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
5,305
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,483
Average Early-Career Earnings
$32,654
Average Student Debt
University of Arkansas tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Arkansas for overall quality. This large public school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 5,305 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UARK is $44,483 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $32,654 after getting their degree.
Full University of Arkansas Report
801
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,468
Average Early-Career Earnings
$32,944
Average Student Debt
A rank of #2 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Arkansas list means Harding University is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 801 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Harding make an average of $43,468 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $32,944 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Harding University
1,737
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,691
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,404
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Arkansas State University - Main Campus helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Arkansas. Jonesboro, Arkansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,737 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from A-State is $41,691 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $12,404 after getting their degree.
Full Arkansas State University - Main Campus Report
344
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,406
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Brown University. The school came in at #4 in Arkansas on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. JBU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 344 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,406 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on John Brown University
382
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,820
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Arkansas list means Ouachita Baptist University is a great place for students working on their degree. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas that handed out 382 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist go into careers with an average salary of $35,820 during the early years of their career.
Full Ouachita Baptist University Report
1,733
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,026
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,148
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, University of Central Arkansas did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. University of Central Arkansas is a medium-sized public school located in Conway, Arkansas that handed out 1,733 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UCA make an average of $38,026 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $15,148 in student loans.
Full University of Central Arkansas Report
1,118
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,364
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,402
Average Student Debt
Arkansas Tech University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Russellville, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,118 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from ATU is $39,364 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $7,402 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Arkansas Tech University
676
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,753
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Fort Smith, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 676 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UAFS is $38,753 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
1,253
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,512
Average Early-Career Earnings
$4,859
Average Student Debt
University of Arkansas at Little Rock ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,253 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UA Little Rock make an average of $43,512 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $4,859.
Full University of Arkansas at Little Rock Report
552
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,167
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #10, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a medium-sized public school located in Magnolia, Arkansas that handed out 552 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,167 during the early years of their career.
Full Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Report
251
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$27,605
Average Early-Career Earnings
Hendrix College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in Conway, Arkansas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 251 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Hendrix make an average of $27,605 a year.
Read full report on Hendrix College
231
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$31,976
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #12, University of the Ozarks did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Clarksville, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 231 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $31,976 during the early years of their career.
Full University of the Ozarks Report
310
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,652
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Arkansas at Monticello ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. UAM is a small public school situated in Monticello, Arkansas. It awarded 310 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,652 during the early years of their career.
Full University of Arkansas at Monticello Report
543
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$36,254
Average Early-Career Earnings
Henderson State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 543 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University make an average of $36,254 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Henderson State University
330
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,490
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,000
Average Student Debt
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff landed the #15 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. UAPB is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 330 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UAPB make an average of $35,490 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $7,000 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
169
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$27,413
Average Early-Career Earnings
Philander Smith College landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Philander Smith is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 169 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Philander Smith make an average of $27,413 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Philander Smith College Report
569
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$65,053
Average Early-Career Earnings
Grantham University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Grantham University is located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 569 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $65,053 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Grantham University
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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