by our College Data Analytics TeamArkansas Tech University ranks #1 of 37 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Arkansas ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 43% six-year graduation rate and $48,143 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Arkansas, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **37** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 37 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Arkansas Tech University leads the 37 ranked colleges in Arkansas, followed by Southern Arkansas University Tech (#2) and Arkansas State University Main Campus (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
Leading the list is Arkansas Tech University, our #1 college in Arkansas. Based in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Arkansas Tech University graduates 44% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,115. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Arkansas University Tech one of the top colleges in Arkansas. Based in Camden, AR, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $34,302. Graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans.
Out of the 37 colleges in Arkansas in this year's ranking, Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #3 spot. Set in Jonesboro, AR, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,847. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #4 place in Arkansas. This public school is set in Bentonville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,671. The median student debt is $12,479.
The strong outcomes at Arkansas State University Newport earned it the #5 place in Arkansas. Set in Newport, AR, Arkansas State University Newport is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Median early-career earnings reach $44,500. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete a degree here.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Little Rock, AR. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock graduates 37% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,170. The median student debt is $27,093.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #7 spot in Arkansas this year. This public school is set in Conway, AR. University Of Central Arkansas graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Median early-career earnings reach $43,187. The median student debt is $22,920.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public school based in Magnolia, AR. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,723. Students borrow a median of $20,385 to complete a degree here.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #9 spot in Arkansas this year. Set in Beebe, AR, Arkansas State University Beebe is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Arkansas State University Beebe graduates report median early-career earnings of $30,293. Arkansas State University Beebe students take on a median of $9,350 in debt.
Henderson State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,131. Typical student debt is $23,234.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #11 spot in Arkansas this year. Set in Helena, AR, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,190. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete a degree here.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Fort Smith, AR, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Median early-career earnings reach $39,204. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete a degree here.
Black River Technical College landed the #13 spot in Arkansas this year. Located in Pocahontas, AR, Black River Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,888. Graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a public school based in Morrilton, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,729. Typical student debt is $13,758.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #15 spot in Arkansas this year. Set in North Little Rock, AR, Pulaski Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Early-career graduates earn a median of $32,554. Typical student debt is $15,043.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #16 spot in Arkansas this year. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a public school based in Monticello, AR. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates 38% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Median early-career earnings reach $41,278. Typical student debt is $15,611.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in De Queen, AR, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,035. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas students take on a median of $7,018 in debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #18 among the best colleges in Arkansas. Located in Batesville, AR, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,187. Typical student debt is $9,265.
Rich Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best colleges in Arkansas. This public school is set in Mena, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $21,186.
College Of The Ouachitas did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Malvern, AR, College Of The Ouachitas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388.
Arkansas Northeastern College placed #21 among the best colleges in Arkansas. Set in Blytheville, AR, Arkansas Northeastern College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,773 early in their careers. Arkansas Northeastern College students take on a median of $7,944 in debt.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Forrest City, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. East Arkansas Community College students take on a median of $8,110 in debt.
North Arkansas College landed the #23 spot in Arkansas this year. Set in Harrison, AR, North Arkansas College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Median early-career earnings reach $38,948. The median student debt is $10,645.
South Arkansas Community College placed #24 among the best colleges in Arkansas. Located in El Dorado, AR, South Arkansas Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,386.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #25 spot in Arkansas this year. Southeast Arkansas College is a public school based in Pine Bluff, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,650. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $30,715. Students borrow a median of $12,008 to complete a degree here.
These 12 colleges rank #26 through #37 of 37 in Arkansas. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.