Best Colleges in Arkansas

Why Should I Consider Studying in Arkansas?

Few places outside the coastal regions have such luscious greenery as the Ozark Mountains which serve as the backdrop for many colleges located in Arkansas. The natural surrounding beauty can provide a welcomed respite from the rigors of school. Home to the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University and many other institutions, the state has some incredible options to choose from.

Located in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas has nearly 25,000 undergraduates and commonly ranks in the top few hundred colleges in America. It serves as the state’s flagship university and boasts a broad range of programs and specialities. Then there’s Arkansas State University, which offers a vibrant student body culture and is nestled in Jonesboro. It’s the state’s second largest university and similarly offers a wide range of arts, sciences, and business degrees. Based in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas also has great advantages. Although smaller in size, it still offers great options in education, communication and business.

Aside from a great place to study, the cost of living is below average in Arkansas and the state’s capital, Little Rock, provides an enjoyable mixture next to the bustling city of Hot Springs. Outdoor recreation and music festivals are common, especially during the drier parts of the year.

Arkansas Higher Education By The Numbers

Colleges in Arkansas

Arkansas has the 25th most colleges in the United States with 85 colleges located there. For reference, that is 75 more colleges than the state with the fewest. 44% of colleges in Arkansas are public, and 56% of its colleges are private. (37 public colleges & 48 private colleges). It has the 17th highest public to private college ratio of all the states.

Our favorite colleges in Arkansas are University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Harding University, and John Brown University. University of Arkansas has the most students of any public college in the top 25 colleges (30,137). Harding University has more students than any other private colleges in our top 25 (5,204).

Students in Arkansas

The most popular state has 3,747,479 college students. Arkansas has 3,548,702 fewer. There are 177,081 public college students and 21,696 private college students in Arkansas. It has fewer public college students than 64% of states and fewer pivate college students than 82% of states. Its 198,777 total students make it the 36th most popular place in the nation. 11% of students in Arkansas are in private institutions which is the 5th lowest percentage across the country.