2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Arkansas. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $78,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarka College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,339 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $60,148 early in their careers. Set against $12,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Arkansas Northeastern College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. 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 registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $70,131. Set against $9,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Rich Mountain Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Registered Nursing graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $21,186 early in their careers.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Arkansas University Tech earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,488. Registered 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 earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $67,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $7,018. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $35,035. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Black River Technical College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Students borrow a median of $18,885 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $65,660. That is a strong return on a $18,885 median debt.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Malvern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,146. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Set against $17,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,550 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered 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 Hope ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,350 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $30,293. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,654 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered 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 came in at #16 for value in registered 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $69,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Students borrow a median of $24,042 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,518. Set against $24,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $58,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Registered 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.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,008. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $30,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,710. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $67,929. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grantham University came in at #22 for value in registered nursing 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. Students borrow a median of $30,600 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grantham University generally make around $58,712. That is a strong return on a $30,600 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,053. Registered Nursing graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $87,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $67,231. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,565 in student loans. Registered 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. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
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 · 37 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.
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
