Best Colleges in Arkansas by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Arkansas? We ranked all 20 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. University of Arkansas comes out on top at 69/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 20 Arkansas colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 34/100, on an average net price of $17,006 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is University of Arkansas at 69/100.
Graduates of University of Arkansas Grantham earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $63,496. The lightest price tag belongs to University of Arkansas Grantham at $8,370 a year. The list below ranks every Arkansas college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Arkansas Colleges by ROI Score
- 1University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR · PublicNet price$18,209/yrMedian earnings$58,19169ROI
- 2University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, AR · PublicNet price$8,370/yrMedian earnings$63,49669ROI
- 3John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR · Private NonprofitNet price$20,397/yrMedian earnings$53,90764ROI
- 4Hendrix CollegeConway, AR · Private NonprofitNet price$24,149/yrMedian earnings$60,37658ROI
- 5Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · Private NonprofitNet price$22,130/yrMedian earnings$52,87647ROI
- 6Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Private NonprofitNet price$22,409/yrMedian earnings$51,67347ROI
- 7Central Baptist CollegeConway, AR · Private NonprofitNet price$12,287/yrMedian earnings$46,78940ROI
- 8University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · PublicNet price$16,511/yrMedian earnings$45,93838ROI
- 9Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR · PublicNet price$12,366/yrMedian earnings$42,61733ROI
- 10University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR · PublicNet price$17,248/yrMedian earnings$45,26531ROI
Arkansas College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Arkansas?
University of Arkansas has the highest ROI score in Arkansas at 69/100, while the lowest net price among Arkansas schools we track is $8,370/year at University of Arkansas Grantham. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Arkansas?
The average net price across the 20 Arkansas colleges in our dataset is $17,006 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Arkansas college has the highest graduate earnings?
University of Arkansas Grantham reports the highest median earnings among Arkansas schools we scored, at $63,496 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Arkansas did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 20 colleges in Arkansas on return on investment. Of those, 3 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Arkansas Schools by ROI Score
20 schools
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR
Hendrix College
Conway, AR
Harding University
Searcy, AR
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR
Central Baptist College
Conway, AR
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, AR
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Magnolia, AR
Lyon College
Batesville, AR
Ecclesia College
Springdale, AR
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR
Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge, AR
Crowley's Ridge College
Paragould, AR
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR
Philander Smith University
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, AR
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release