2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Arkansas
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Arkansas. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $78,213 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarka College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,339. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $60,148. That is a strong return on a $12,339 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Arkansas Northeastern College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,447 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,447 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Rich Mountain Community College, which ranked #4. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $21,186.
Southern Arkansas University Tech is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,602. Nursing graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $67,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,602 median debt.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Black River Technical College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Students borrow a median of $18,885 to complete the nursing program here. 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.
College Of The Ouachitas earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,374 ten years after entry.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Students borrow a median of $17,146 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,550. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $64,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,885, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
Arkansas State University Beebe came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,350. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $30,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #14 among the best values for nursing. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,654 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $74,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,250. Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $69,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,042. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,518. That is a strong return on a $24,042 median debt.
North Arkansas College landed the #18 spot for nursing value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $58,258. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt.
National Park Community College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,783. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Southeast Arkansas College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,008 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $30,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,710. Nursing graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $67,929 early in their careers. Set against $26,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,053. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $87,237. Set against $26,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grantham University landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of LIttle Rock, Grantham University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,520. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,600. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Grantham University generally make around $58,712. That is a strong return on a $30,600 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $67,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,565. Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $67,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,565 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
