2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Arkansas
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Arkansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, our #1 best value for nursing in Arkansas. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $78,213. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarka College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,339 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $60,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,339 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Black River Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,885. Nursing graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $65,660 early in their careers. Set against $18,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rich Mountain Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Early-career nursing graduates make about $21,186.
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,447 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,602 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $64,932. That is a strong return on a $8,550 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,654 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Set against $12,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Students borrow a median of $17,146 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $74,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,565 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,042 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $62,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,042 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $69,618 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
North Arkansas College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $58,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $87,237. That is a strong return on a $26,053 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,350 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $30,293. That is a strong return on a $9,350 median debt.
National Park Community College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,250. Nursing graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $67,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Tech University placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $26,710 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,929. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,267. Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $67,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
