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2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Arkansas

32 Colleges in the United States
2,687 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$64,639 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Arkansas

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Leading the list is University Of Arkansas, our #1 school for registered nursing. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 351 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $93,839. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,327 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Arkansas

2

University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 91 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences generally make around $87,136. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences

3

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. About 20 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $78,213 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full registered nursing details for Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas

4

Arkansas State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Arkansas State University Main Campus graduates 53% of students within six years. About 413 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Arkansas State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $87,237 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Arkansas State University Main Campus

5

College Of The Ouachitas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. Set in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public institution. About 76 registered nursing degrees were awarded at College Of The Ouachitas in the most recent year. Get the full registered nursing details for College Of The Ouachitas

6

Southern Arkansas University Tech ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. About 26 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southern Arkansas University Tech in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Typical student debt for the program is $8,488. See the full registered nursing program report for Southern Arkansas University Tech

7

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Little Rock. About 37% of students finish within six years. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock awarded about 299 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn around $72,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,699 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Arkansas At Little Rock

8

University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. This small public university is located in the town of Batesville. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville awarded about 86 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. Students borrow a median of $12,654 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville

9

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fort Smith. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith awarded about 67 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $69,618 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith

10
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 111 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,929 in their early career. Arkansas Tech University graduates carry a median of $26,710 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Arkansas Tech University

11

University Of Central Arkansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. University Of Central Arkansas graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 126 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $84,982. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Central Arkansas

12

East Arkansas Community College placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. There were roughly 23 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at East Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $64,932 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,550 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for East Arkansas Community College

13

Harding University earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. Harding University awarded about 46 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Harding University earn a median of $84,049 early in their careers. Harding University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Harding University

14

Black River Technical College came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Pocahontas. Black River Technical College awarded about 40 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Black River Technical College earn around $65,660 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,885 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Black River Technical College

15

Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. There were roughly 109 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College earn around $67,192 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Arkansas Community College graduates carry a median of $16,602 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Northwest Arkansas Community College

16

Arkansas State University Newport landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. There were roughly 78 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas State University Newport in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Arkansas State University Newport

17

South Arkansas Community College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. This small public university is located in the town of El Dorado. About 48 registered nursing degrees were awarded at South Arkansas Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,146 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from South Arkansas Community College

18

Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. Arkansas Northeastern College awarded about 27 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,447. Get the full registered nursing details for Arkansas Northeastern College

19
Ozarka College crest
Ozarka College
Melbourne, AR

Ozarka College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. Ozarka College awarded about 18 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $60,148 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,339 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Ozarka College

20

Henderson State University came in at #20 for registered nursing this year. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. About 37% of students finish within six years. Henderson State University awarded about 52 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $72,326. Henderson State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Henderson State University

21
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 registered nursing degrees were awarded at John Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $67,343. Typical student debt for the program is $29,291. Read more about the registered nursing program at John Brown University

22

National Park Community College placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Hot Springs. National Park Community College awarded about 47 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $67,783 early in their careers. National Park Community College graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from National Park Community College

23

Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #23 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Beebe. Arkansas State University Beebe awarded about 23 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $30,293 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,350. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Arkansas State University Beebe

24

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Magnolia. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 31 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn around $67,213 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

25

University Of Arkansas At Monticello earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas At Monticello in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $63,323 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,611. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Arkansas At Monticello

Rest of the Top 35 Registered Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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