by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Arkansas? This list ranks 36 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 36 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 36 schools in Arkansas to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. View our full ranking methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Southern Arkansas University Tech this year in Arkansas. Based in Camden, AR, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. Southern Arkansas University Tech students take on a median of $8,488 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,376. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 36 schools in Arkansas in this year's value ranking, Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Bentonville, AR. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. The median program debt is $12,479. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,505 ten years after entry. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Arkansas. Located in Mena, AR, Rich Mountain Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,037 ten years after entry.
You'll get strong value at Mid South Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in West Memphis, AR, Mid South Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Out of the 36 schools in Arkansas in this year's value ranking, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #5 spot. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Helena, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,552 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #6 among the best values in Arkansas. Based in De Queen, AR, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Typical student debt is $7,018. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College landed the #7 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Located in Pocahontas, AR, Black River Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete their program here. Black River Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,818 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,420 median debt.
Arkansas Northeastern College placed #8 among the best values in Arkansas. Arkansas Northeastern College is a public school based in Blytheville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Median earnings reach $33,169 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
Ozarka College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Melbourne, AR, Ozarka College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,314 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,778 median debt.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #10 spot for value in Arkansas this year. This public school is set in Malvern, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
South Arkansas Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in El Dorado, AR, South Arkansas Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. South Arkansas Community College students take on a median of $15,386 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,521 ten years out. Set against $15,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Forrest City, AR, East Arkansas Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Students borrow a median of $8,110 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Beebe, AR, Arkansas State University Beebe is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt is $9,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,603. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport placed #14 among the best values in Arkansas. Located in Newport, AR, Arkansas State University Newport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Arkansas State University Newport students take on a median of $10,925 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,524 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hope, AR, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,885, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #16 among the best values in Arkansas. This public school is set in Batesville, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,706. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Fort Smith, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,102. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #18 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Located in Mountain Home, AR, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a 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 $18,097 to complete their program here. Arkansas State University Mountain Home alumni report median earnings of $34,238 a decade after entry. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Set in Harrison, AR, North Arkansas College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $10,645. Median earnings reach $34,653 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
Southeast Arkansas College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Pine Bluff, AR, Southeast Arkansas College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Typical student debt is $12,008. Median earnings reach $33,603 ten years out. Set against $12,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University placed #21 among the best values in Arkansas. Arkansas Tech University is a public school based in Russellville, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $23,257. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,766. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a public school based in Morrilton, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $4,728 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,924 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
National Park Community College landed the #23 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Located in Hot Springs, AR, National Park Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,600, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $14,162. National Park Community College alumni report median earnings of $32,444 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #24 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Set in Pine Bluff, AR, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $35,550 ten years out. Set against $26,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public school based in Jonesboro, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,617. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 82%.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 36 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.