Colleges in Arkansas
Why go to College in Arkansas?
Students looking to attend college in Arkansas can choose from a number of quality institutions, including multiple online options. The cost of living in the state is lower than the national average, as is the cost of in-state tuition for a four-year college. Students who love the outdoors may be especially attracted to Arkansas' abundant natural areas, including the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, the Arkansas River Valley, and a number of beautiful state and national parks.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Arkansas?
On-Campus
Students in Arkansas traditionally live on-campus or commute to school from nearby, and attend classes at set places and times during the week. They also may take advantage of on-campus amenities such as the library, study groups with fellow students, academic and social clubs, and more. The on-campus option is usually a suitable choice for full-time students who are recent high school graduates, but the schedule does not allow for much flexibility. Working students or those with other personal obligations have to arrange those activities around a rather fixed school schedule.
Online Programs
In recent years, attending an online schools in Arkansas has become more of an acceptable option, as people realize that the quality of education is equal to that received in a traditional classroom setting. For students with full-time jobs, children, or other personal commitments, online schools in Arkansas offer opportunities to further their education with more flexible scheduling that lets them keep up with their obligations.
Online classes let students complete coursework at home and on their own schedule. Sometimes referred to as "distance learning," attending an online school in Arkansas is ideal for students who do not live near a college, and cannot move closer or commute easily. Online coursework also makes a college education more accessible for students with mobility issues, or other health issues that make in-person attendance difficult.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs combine elements of on-campus and online programs to make attendance more convenient for students with other personal obligations. They are also attractive for students in degree tracks that require some hands-on work, such as laboratory classes, residencies, or field work like student teaching or internships. In hybrids, some coursework is completed online at the student's convenience, meaning less time must be spent away from home. Class time is arranged ahead of time, so students can plan accordingly. This can be a far more manageable schedule for full-time students, and may make certain paths of study more accessible for students with limited time and resources.
Popular Degree Programs in Arkansas
The degrees most commonly conferred by online colleges in Arkansas reflect the types of jobs that are most prevalent in the state. The world's largest company, Walmart, is headquartered in Arkansas. Many of the jobs associated with Arkansas' most popular industries, however, do not require a bachelor's degree.
According to Business Insider , these are two of the most popular majors pursued by students enrolled in college on-campus or online in Arkansas.
General Education An associate degree in general education is the state's most commonly pursued major. Those with an associate degree have an advantage over workers with no college education, and credits from most associate degrees earned from an accredited institution transfer if one decides to pursue a bachelor's degree.
Agriculture Production and Management griculture is one of the state's primary industries. Chicken farming and processing are a major part of this industry, including at large employers like OK Foods and Tyson Foods, Inc. Catfish farming is also a significant business; 16% of the catfish consumed in the United States originates in Arkansas.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Arkansas?
If you are considering an online college in Arkansas, you have some excellent options. Depending on your chosen field of study, you may be able to complete most or all of the required classes for your degree online. This can make it easier and more affordable to achieve your career goals without sacrificing the quality of your education. To assist you in your search, we have outlined the best online colleges in Arkansas here. You can use this as a resource to decide which online program is the best fit for your educational needs and priorities.
Top 8 Colleges in Arkansas for 2019
Admissions Rate
74%
Graduation Rate
62%
Online Enrollment
11%
Retention Rate
81%
Default Rate
4%
Located in the northwestern corner of Arkansas in the burgeoning arts community of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a private Christian college established in 1919. The university offers five online undergraduate degrees built upon the foundation of liberal arts and Christ-centered values. JBU is one of the leading online colleges in Arkansas and emphasizes a holistic approach to online learning, while also promoting professional skills and spiritual growth.
Students have the opportunity to pursue degrees in areas such as business administration, management accounting, and psychology. The university's liberal arts degree allows students to apply prior credit toward their online degree and graduate in less than two years. This generalist degree synthesizes a student's prior learning experiences with skills such as communication and problem solving.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Arkansas?
Community colleges typically offer the general education courses students complete within the first two years of a four-year degree. Students can earn not only an associate degree at these smaller colleges, but also particular professional certifications that do not require a bachelor's degree or higher. When you eventually decide to pursue your bachelor's degree, you can be assured that most community college courses will transfer to four-year universities.
Community colleges serve the people living in the surrounding community, so most do not have on-campus housing. Many students at these schools already work full-time, and take courses to further their education in order to expand their job opportunities. For added convenience, these community colleges now include a number of online schools in Arkansas, which are easier for students with work and family commitments to fit into their schedules.
You can use this ranking of the best online colleges in Arkansas to help find the right fit for your educational needs.
Top 8 Online Community Colleges in Arkansas for 2019
Graduation Rate
37%
Online Enrollment
9%
Retention Rate
65%
Default Rate
0%
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is a public institution located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Thanks to a small student body of approximately 1,500, CCCUA students enjoy an intimate educational atmosphere and one-on-one faculty assistance. Distance learners seeking an online community college in Arkansas also find that CCCUA provides an individualized, supportive learning environment for students pursuing one of eight available online associate degrees .
Including majors such as business, criminal justice, and psychology, each two-year degree presents a broad survey of core concepts. While graduates are ready to take on entry-level roles in the workforce, many transfer to a four-year program. Classes begin seven times a year. Some degrees include embedded technical certifications within the standard curriculum. Applicants need only provide official high school transcripts.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Arkansas
Recent data shows that Arkansas spends more money per full-time student on postsecondary education than the national average, although the state allocates a smaller proportion of its overall tax revenue to higher education. The percentage of adults age 25 and older who have some type of college degree also is below the national average, which may be attributed to the significant proportion of jobs in Arkansas which do not require a college degree.
| STATE | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $7,626 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 6.3% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 13.6% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 7.5% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Arkansas
Cost is one of the most important factors to consider as you research online colleges in Arkansas. Fortunately, in-state tuition and fees at four-year public universities in Arkansas cost less than the national average, and prices at two-year institutions are very close to the national average. It's important to note that education costs can be reduced by obtaining financial aid such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Even a college which appears rather expensive may be affordable if you thoroughly research your options and devise a workable plan.
Tuition Prices
In the table below, you can see how the average prices of Arkansas colleges compare to the national average. The cost of a two-year college in Arkansas is similar to the national average, and significantly lower for a four-year college. The prices shown here are only for in-state tuition and fees, and do not include other costs such as transportation, room and board, books, and other necessary items. It is important to consider these factors to judge the true affordability of a given institution.
Financial Aid
Every student should fully explore their financial aid options considering higher education, and the first step toward is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines one's eligibility for federal aid including grants, loans, and work-study programs. Many private providers of grants and scholarships also require the FAFSA to determine what portion of a student's education costs may be covered before awarding any additional monies to a student.
Many students combine multiple sources of financial aid to pay for college expenses. Grants and scholarships are the most desirable types of financial aid, as they do not need to be paid back. Scholarships may be awarded based on academic performance, financial need, or other factors, while grants usually are given to students who demonstrate financial need. Work-study programs allow students to earn money for their education by working part-time in a community service position — or a job related to their chosen field — while still attending school. Loans also are helpful, but they create post-graduation debt, so they should be taken only after other grants and scholarships have been applied. Federal loans have much lower interest rates than those offered on private bank loans, and will likely be best option for minimizing the amount of student debt students may incur.
Cost for Online Programs in Arkansas
Most online colleges in Arkansas allow financial aid to be applied just as it would be for an on-campus program, and the tuition prices tend to be about the same. However, an online program may prove to be less expensive than an on-campus option when the overall cost is tallied. Online students may pay fewer fees than on-campus students, and other associated costs are mitigated, such as transportation and child care. Digital textbooks often can be rented instead of purchased, and tend to cost less than physical books. Online programs also allow students to maintain a full-time job, or to live at home instead of going away to a school where they must pay for room and board. All of these factors add up to make an online college education more affordable.
Cost of Living by Region
When determining your education costs, tuition is only one part of the equation. You also need to know what you may need to spend on room and board, transportation, and other needs, and these prices can change dramatically from city to city. It is important to research the cost of living in any town where you consider going to college so you understand the impact on the price of your education, as well as any effect it may have on your career and earning potential after graduation.
Scholarships for Arkansas College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
It is always a good idea to find out exactly what — if any — restrictions exist on any scholarship you receive. Many scholarships are designed to help cover the various educational expenses you may have, from tuition and fees, to books or room and board. Most cover online programs just the same as on-campus study, but a particular scholarship may have certain requirements attached. You are encouraged to check with the administrators of the scholarship first if you are unsure whether online classes are eligible.
Employment Outlook in Arkansas
The employment outlook in Arkansas is stable. Arkansas is home to six Fortune 500 companies: Dillard's, J.B. Hunt, Murphy USA, Tyson Foods, Walmart, and Windstream. As you can see from the tables below, the state's unemployment rate is lower than the national average. The annual mean wage is also lower, but this is offset by the fact that the cost of living in Arkansas is also lower than the national average.
| Arkansas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.5% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $39,590 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Arkansas
Top Industries in Arkansas
Manufacturing: The principal goods manufactured in and exported from Arkansas include food and kindred products, lumber and wood products, paper and pulp, machinery, furniture, chemicals, electronic equipment, rubber and plastic products, steel, and transportation equipment.
Transportation Logistics: Transportation logistics includes shipping, trucking, air travel, and supply chain management. These areas support national and global trade, making it possible to export, import, and distribute products wherever they are needed.
Agriculture: Arkansas has many major agricultural products. The state is the top producer of rice in the United States, is second in poultry production, and third in catfish production. Other major crops include grain sorghum, cotton, cottonseed, sweet potatoes, and soybeans..
Top Employers in Arkansas
State of Arkansas: The state government is one of the largest employers in Arkansas. This includes various state offices as well as major employers such as University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS), which would be in the top five employers if considered alone.
Walmart Stores, Inc.: This multinational retailer is the largest business in the world by both revenue and number of employees . The company is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, and has been owned by Arkansas' Walton family since its founding in the 1960s.
Tyson Foods, Inc.: Based in Springdale, AK, this multinational corporation is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork. Its subsidiaries include major food brands such as including Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, and Ball Park.
Accreditation for Colleges in Arkansas
While looking into online schools in Arkansas, it is crucial that you ensure any school you consider is accredited. Unaccredited schools often try to appeal to potential students with cheaper tuition prices, but their true cost to you is hidden. A degree from an unaccredited college does not have the same value to potential employers as one from an accredited institution. Accreditation by a recognized agency indicates that the school's curriculum and admission practices have been reviewed and deemed acceptable based on an established standard. The accreditation agency itself must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which confirms that the agency's standards are valid. When a potential employer sees you have a degree from an accredited institution, they know that you took care to choose a school that offers a quality education. The accrediting agency which oversees colleges in Arkansas is the Higher Learning Commission .
An institution may be either regionally or nationally accredited. Major universities usually receive regional accreditation from an agency which oversees schools located in a certain geographic area. Regional accreditation offers more prestige and higher perceived value for potential employers. National accreditation is mostly held by for-profit institutions such as technical or trade schools, or those who focus primarily on distance learning. Accreditation may be applied to an entire institution, or to a particular program offered by a school. This works the same for online programs as it does for traditional ones, so be sure to choose an accredited online program. Because different accredited schools meet similar standards, credits tend to transfer easily from one school to another. However, credits from an unaccredited school rarely transfer to an accredited one, which means that the time and money you spent on those credits may be wasted.
Resources for Students in Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE): The ADHE is a resource for a broad spectrum of information about college and university education in the state. This includes resources for students and parents, information about the department's purview and activities, updates on relevant legislation, reports, and more.
Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) College and University Listing: This resource is developed for students and their parents. It provides a list of the state's colleges and universities, more details about each institution, links to information about the degrees and programs offered, information about transfers, and more.
Arkansas Financial Aid System YOUniversal Application: This tool is the state's official scholarship management system. It is a universal scholarship search, so completing one application can determine a student's eligibility for all of the state's scholarship programs. The application is separate from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) , which also may be required to verify eligibility for some scholarships.
Fund My Future: This statewide college planning service provided by the Arkansas Student Loan Authority offers information for students and their parents about saving for college in the years prior to high school graduation, applying for college admission and financial aid, and more. It includes a scholarship search tool and more.
State of Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research – Arkansas Higher Education: An official resource for Arkansas state legislature topics related to higher education in the state, including research, information about institutions and scholarships, reports and interim study proposals, budget and funding, and state initiatives and national research.