2023 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas

Higher Education in Arkansas

Like many other states, Arkansas has made higher education a top priority in recent years. The state's leaders want to ensure an educated workforce that's prepared to support Arkansas' future economy. Currently, 24.3% of the state's three million adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. But the Align Arkansas 2026 plan aims to increase the percentage of workers with college credentials — degrees of all levels as well as diplomas and certificates — to 55%.

Prospective students who want to attend college in Arkansas can select from nearly 90 postsecondary options, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The state government oversees two public college systems:

• The University of Arkansas System includes two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and other institutions of higher education. The University of Arkansas has six campuses in cities such as Little Rock and Fort Smith. Other members of the system include the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana, the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
• The Arkansas State University System's main campus is a research institution in Jonesboro. Additional two-year and four-year schools are spread across the state with locations in Beebe, West Memphis, and beyond. The system also operates a university in Queretaro, Mexico.

Among the many nonprofit and for-profit private colleges and universities in Arkansas are Hendrix College in Conway, Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, and the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. Arkansas is also home to four HBCUs: Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Shorter College in North Little Rock, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Online Colleges in Arkansas

Over the past two decades, a growing number of college students have chosen distance education over traditional, on-campus programs. Both private and public institutions in Arkansas and across the country now offer online courses and fully online degree programs. Interestingly, the University of Arkansas has consolidated all of its 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree offerings into a single hub called the University of Arkansas at Grantham. You'll find all levels of degrees available at colleges in this state, but we use bachelor's degrees to rank our list of the best online colleges in Arkansas.

Regardless of whether you're applying for an on-campus or online program, Arkansas colleges have similar admissions requirements. Along with your online application, you'll need to submit high school and college transcripts and possibly an application fee. Some schools may also request ACT or SAT scores, a list of your extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. The more competitive schools will require your high school GPA to be higher than a stated minimum, such as 2.5 or 3.0.

Before signing up for an Arkansas online degree program, you may want to check the school's accreditation status. Enrollment in an accredited college may impact your financial aid, transfer credits, application for a graduate program, or ability to get a license to practice a specific profession. Our list of online colleges in Arkansas includes only those schools that have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC), both of which are approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

Another important consideration when choosing an online degree program is the format. Some online courses are asynchronous. This means you can access course materials and complete your assignments at your convenience as long as you submit your coursework before the deadlines. Some online courses, however, may be synchronous. These courses require you to log in at specified times so you can view live lectures and interact with your classmates. Also, some programs are fully online, while others are hybrid, which means you'll need to come to campus for some learning activities.

Popular Online Degree Programs in Arkansas

Earning a college degree through distance learning appeals to many people because it's convenient and affordable. Adult learners often choose online graduate programs so they can pursue a master's degree or doctoral degree without disrupting their lives. Some of the more popular online master's programs include business administration, accounting, and organizational leadership.

Online Arkansas colleges offer even more opportunities to earn bachelor's degrees. Programs are available in most of the common fields, such as criminal justice, economics, and computer engineering. Students can also opt for broader liberal arts and interdisciplinary degrees. However, Arkansas colleges confer more bachelor's degrees in business than in any other major.

Many of the following undergraduate degrees can be earned through Arkansas online colleges:

The time it takes to fulfill all of an online degree's requirements varies, but there are standard timeframes for earning degrees. Full-time students often need four to five years to complete an online bachelor's degree and two to three years to complete an online master's degree. Part-time undergraduate and graduate students generally need longer to finish. If you want to earn your degree faster, an accelerated online program with shorter, year-round terms may be a good choice for you.

Even if you're an online student, you may need to complete real-world, experiential learning activities through internships, labs, and other types of fieldwork. You'll be required to complete these activities at facilities near your home. For instance, if you're enrolled in an online RN-to-BSN program, you may be able to accumulate your practicum hours at a local hospital.

Cost of Online Colleges in Arkansas

NCES data, as shown in the table below, suggests that Arkansas colleges are generally more affordable than schools in other states. However, before applying to online colleges in Arkansas, you may want to research each degree program's tuition fees and other costs. Fees can vary within the same school or university system, depending on the degree and the delivery mode (online or in person). Your residency status — whether you're an in-state or out-of-state resident — also impacts your tuition rate.

Annual Average Cost of Tuition and Required Fees (2020-2021)

	Arkansas	United States
Two-year College (In-state)	$3,484	$3,501
Two-year College (Out-of-state)	$4,845	$8,256
Public Four-year College (In-state)	$8,468	$9,375
Public Four-year College (Out-of-state)	$21,598	$27,091
Private	$24,998	$32,825

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

Given the expense of earning a college degree, you're probably looking for ways to minimize the cost. Choosing an affordable school is one possibility. You could also consider going to school online, as the tuition and fees are often the same as or lower than on-campus, in-state costs. Also, by earning your degree through distance learning, you won't have to pay for college room and board and you'll reduce your transportation costs.

Another option for decreasing the total cost of your college education is to attend one of Arkansas' community colleges. Depending on your career aspirations, you may need only an associate degree or vocational certificate from a community college or technical school.

If your goals require you to earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year university, you could fulfill your general education requirements at a more affordable community college and then transfer. The Arkansas Course Transfer System is designed to help the transition from two-year to four-year schools within the state.

Financial Aid for Students in Arkansas

Of course, getting financial aid, such as grants and scholarships that don't have to be repaid, is one of the best ways to lower the "sticker price" of your degree. Funding for financial aid comes from several sources. The federal government and individual colleges all contribute, and money is also provided by state governments. Arkansas, for instance, awards an average of $1,262 per student.

The first step to obtaining financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education, the Arkansas state government, and the schools you apply to then use the data on this form to determine the types and amount of financial aid you'll be offered.

Arkansas offers a range of financial aid programs for students with financial need, family members of law enforcement officers and military members, and more. Students can use the Scholarship Application Management System to research financial aid options, learn more about state scholarships and grants, and submit an application. Some of the financial aid programs available to Arkansas residents include the following.

• Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship: Using funds from the state lottery, Arkansas awards scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for all types of students pursuing two-year and four-year degrees.
• Arkansas Future Grant: Students who plan to enroll or are enrolled in STEM programs or vocational programs at state schools may be eligible for this grant. Award amounts vary but may cover all tuition fees.
• Arkansas Workforce Challenge: This scholarship awards up to $800 for students taking classes in one of the state's high-demand occupational areas, such as healthcare, information technology, or industry.
• Governor's Distinguished Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship supports Arkansas high school students who've achieved academic excellence. Recipients may receive awards of up to $10,000 per year.

Several Arkansas schools also offer Promise scholarships. These are last-dollar scholarship programs designed to make up the difference between the money students receive from other financial aid sources, such as Pell Grants, and the total cost of tuition, books, and other expenses. Examples include programs at Arkansas State University - Jonesboro and El Dorado High School.

You may also be eligible for college funding through the GI Bill® if you are an active-duty military member or veteran. You and your family members may also be entitled to tuition discounts and other services at online Arkansas colleges, such as the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University, that are military-friendly, Yellow Ribbon schools.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Job Outlook for Arkansas College Graduates

In Arkansas, agriculture is the largest industry. The state boasts nearly 50,000 farms, 97% of which are family owned. Yet there are several other key industries offering employment opportunities for college graduates. These include aerospace and defense, food and beverage production, metals and mining, software development and technology, distribution and logistics, timber and forest products, transportation equipment production, and professional services. 

Although there are many small businesses operating in Arkansas, there are large Fortune 500 companies headquartered here as well. The biggest and best-known is Wal-Mart, located in Bentonville. The massive retailer has maintained the number one position on the Fortune 500 list since 2013. The other four Arkansas-based companies are Tyson Foods, Murphy USA gas stations, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and Dillard's department stores.

After reviewing these industries and companies, we've identified a few of the many popular occupations in Arkansas that are projected to grow much faster than the 5% national average. Salary information is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Although these occupations tend to come with respectable salaries in Arkansas, wages in this state are generally lower than the national mean of $61,900. The BLS lists the annual mean salaries in the Little Rock area at $51,410, in the Fayetteville area at $53,810, and in Hot Springs at $43,180. Arkansas' cost of living index, however, is a low 77.5 as compared to the national index of 100. Housing and transportation are especially affordable in this state.

FAQs About Online Colleges in Arkansas