by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Arkansas, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **12** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 12 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences this year in Arkansas. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,086, while out-of-state students pay about $14,714. Early-career graduates earn a median of $72,098. The median student debt is $23,106.
You'll be in good company at University Of Arkansas, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. University Of Arkansas graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,555. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans.
Out of the 12 graduate schools in Arkansas in this year's ranking, Harding University landed the #3 spot. Set in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Harding University graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,629. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at John Brown University earned it the #4 place in Arkansas. John Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Siloam Springs, AR. John Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. John Brown University students take on a median of $25,216 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Ouachita Baptist University, which ranked #5 this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Arkadelphia, AR. Ouachita Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,500. Early-career graduates earn a median of $35,820. Graduates carry a median of $23,520 in student loans.
Arkansas State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Jonesboro, AR, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,847. Typical student debt is $23,399.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #7 among the best graduate schools in Arkansas. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,187. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete a degree here.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock graduates 37% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,170. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock students take on a median of $27,093 in debt.
Arkansas Tech University placed #9 among the best graduate schools in Arkansas. Based in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Arkansas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Median early-career earnings reach $45,115. Typical student debt is $23,257.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Magnolia, AR. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $41,723. The median student debt is $20,385.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Fort Smith, AR, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,204. Typical student debt is $20,333.
Williams Baptist College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Williams Baptist College is a private not-for-profit school based in Walnut Ridge, AR. Williams Baptist College posts a six-year graduation rate of 26%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,070. Median early-career earnings reach $31,309. Graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans.
Henderson State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Arkadelphia, AR. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Median early-career earnings reach $40,131. Henderson State University students take on a median of $23,234 in debt.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #14 spot in Arkansas this year. Located in Monticello, AR, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a public institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $41,278. University Of Arkansas At Monticello students take on a median of $15,611 in debt.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Pine Bluff, AR, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,375, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,490. Graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans.
Philander Smith College placed #16 among the best graduate schools in Arkansas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Little Rock, AR. Philander Smith College graduates 30% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,014. Graduates go on to earn a median of $27,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $38,630 to complete a degree here.
Grantham University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in LIttle Rock, AR. Grantham University posts a six-year graduation rate of 17%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,520. Median early-career earnings reach $58,712. Students borrow a median of $30,600 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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.