With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Arkansas ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Our analysis looked at 27 schools in Arkansas to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
Higher Than Average Earnings
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. While associate degree recipients from schools in Arkansas earn an average starting salary of $33,707, those from the top 22 school on this list made an average of $36,087.
Starting Salary ( 22911 to 43834 )
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their associate degree.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Arkansas have accumulated an average of $16,924 in student debt.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
Our Best Associate Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best associate degree schools nearest you. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.
Our analysis found Arkansas State University - Main Campus to be the best school for associate degrees in Arkansas in this year’s ranking. Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the fairly large public school handed out 629 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from A-State make an average of $53,557 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $21,000 after getting their degree.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend NorthWest Arkansas Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,060 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from NWACC is $40,836 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,443.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The school came in at #3 in Arkansas on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 320 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from UA Little Rock make an average of $57,268 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $25,560.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arkansas Tech University. The school came in at #4 in Arkansas on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Russellville, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,008 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from ATU go into careers with an average salary of $33,445 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $20,084 after getting their degree.
A rank of #5 on our Best Associate Degree in Arkansas list means University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College is a great place for students working on their degree. UA Pulaski Tech is a small public school situated in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It awarded 759 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from UA Pulaski Tech is $27,251 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,762 after getting their degree.
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Fort Smith, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 234 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from UAFS make an average of $27,196 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,600 after getting their degree.
Southern Arkansas University Tech landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in Camden, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 148 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from SAU Tech make an average of $32,889 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,926 in student loans.
Southeast Arkansas College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Pine Bluff, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 155 students in 2020-2021.
University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Morrilton, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 371 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from UACCM make an average of $31,453 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,260.
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #10. De Queen, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 177 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot make an average of $36,388 a year.
Black River Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #11. Pocahontas, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 389 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Black River Technical College is $33,301 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,779.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public institution located in Magnolia, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 349 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
East Arkansas Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. This small public school is located in Forrest City, Arkansas, and it awarded 135 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from East Arkansas Community College make an average of $19,439 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $7,628 after getting their degree.
Arkansas State University - Newport did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 273 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from ASUN make an average of $35,025 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,434 after getting their degree.
University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. Batesville, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 216 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $53,794 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,050 in student loans.
Arkansas State University - Beebe landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. ASU-Beebe is located in Beebe, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 712 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from ASU-Beebe go into careers with an average salary of $27,112 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $7,767 in student loans.
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. This small public school is located in Blytheville, Arkansas, and it awarded 172 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Arkansas Northeastern College is $39,799 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $8,125 in student loans.
National Park College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. This small public school is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and it awarded 265 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from National Park College is $38,965 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,943 after getting their degree.
North Arkansas College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #19. North Arkansas College is a small public school located in Harrison, Arkansas that handed out 277 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Northark make an average of $32,943 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,391.
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Helena, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 107 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Phillips County Community College make an average of $40,397 per year during the early years of their career.
Arkansas State University Mid-South ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. ASU Mid-South is a public institution located in West Memphis, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 141 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from ASU Mid-South go into careers with an average salary of $23,415 during the early years of their career.
South Arkansas Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas list. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in El Dorado, Arkansas that handed out 176 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from SouthArk is $24,060 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,179.
University of Arkansas at Monticello landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. UAM is located in Monticello, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 284 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $16,000 after getting their degree.
Arkansas State University Three Rivers did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #24. ASU Three Rivers is located in Malvern, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from ASU Three Rivers go into careers with an average salary of $52,762 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $27,000.
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking, coming in at #25. ASUMH is a public institution located in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 214 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from ASUMH make an average of $32,631 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,349.
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).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
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