2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Arkansas

[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Arkansas Fort Smith the best value for a degree in engineering in Arkansas. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $74,284 early in their careers. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,723. That is a strong return on a $20,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas Tech University earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,445 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $71,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at University Of Arkansas At Little Rock, which ranked #5. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Students borrow a median of $27,093 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Arkansas placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,158 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $76,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,158 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
John Brown University came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. Students from in state pay about $31,756 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. Set against $25,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,234 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Henderson State University earn a median of $40,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.