With 52 state parks, laid-back cities, and classic Southern hospitality, Arkansas is a great place to earn a college degree. And thanks to the state’s online colleges, you can take classes with a flexible format.
Even better, choosing an online college in Arkansas can be cost-effective. With tuition rates lower than the national average and a low cost of living, Arkansas appeals to college students.
Whether you already live there or you’re considering attending college in the state, read our guide to learn about Arkansas’ best online colleges.
Explore Top Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Colleges in Arkansas 2025
#1 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Little Rock, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers more than 450 distance learning courses and 11 accredited degree programs — all delivered 100% online. Low flat-rate tuition fees support clear and easy budgeting, and military students and veterans receive extra discounts.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $292
Out of State | $292
Why Students Choose UA Little Rock:
- Practical Career Preparation: Pursue job-focused majors like criminal justice, human resource management, or nursing after graduation.
- Quality Control: UA Little Rock uses a unique in-house online course development program led by instructional design professionals.
- Easy Enrollment: UA Little Rock's simple four-step online enrollment process removes barriers to entry.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Military Perks: Active military personnel and veterans get a 25% tuition discount and pay no application or campus fees.
- Competitive Admissions: Only 58% of applicants received an offer of admission in fall 2023.
- Below-Average Graduation Rates: UA Little Rock bachelor's students have a 39% six-year graduation rate, which falls well below the national average of 64%.
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2025
Arkansas State University
- Jonesboro, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
With a huge lineup of online programs, Arkansas State University is the Natural State's largest provider of online higher education. As an undergraduate, you can choose from dozens of majors across 11 subject areas while paying the same low, fixed tuition rates regardless of where you live.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $282
Out of State | $282
Why Students Choose A-State:
- Collaborative Learning: Every A-State online student matches with a learning assistant who holds an in-field graduate degree.
- Quick, Easy Starts: An efficient admissions process and multiple start dates throughout the year get you moving fast.
- Generous Transfer Credit Policies: Work experience, employer-based training, community or military service, and independent study all qualify.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Tuition Differentials: Each online program has its own unique tuition structure, which may vary depending on your major.
- Seek Aid: Nearly 80% of A-State undergraduates received a scholarship or grant for the 2022-2023 school year.
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2025
Arkansas Tech University
- Russellville, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Arkansas Tech University hosts 39 online programs leading to certificates and degrees at the bachelor's and master's levels, including accelerated paths for transfer students. The school's unique financing policy puts money back in students' pockets by applying institutional funding before factoring in federal or state aid.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $2,997
Out of State | $5,994
Why Students Choose Arkansas Tech:
- Tuition Freeze: Arkansas Tech froze tuition fees for the 2024-2025 school year, making it the only college in the state that did not raise student costs.
- "No Strings Attached" Aid Policy: Arkansas Tech offers five paths to financial aid and does not tie aid eligibility to Pell Grant status.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Regular Tuition Rates Apply: Online students pay the same rates as their campus-based counterparts.
- Admission Procedures Vary: Each student type (non-degree student, first-time undergraduate, transfer student, etc.) follows a different application process.
- Apply by Mail: Arkansas Tech requires all applicants, including those seeking admission to online programs, to submit physical documents.
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Arkansas features many online programs, including micro-certificates and doctorates. U of A's 16 available online bachelor's programs emphasize career-focused majors like accounting, business management, finance, marketing, and nursing. All online programs are developed by instruction design experts from U of A's Fayetteville campus.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $263
Out of State | $925
Why Students Choose U of A:
- Scholarships for Online Students: U of A offers online students up to $2,000 per academic year in scholarship funding.
- Military-Friendly Policies: U of A's Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center operates additional tuition assistance programs.
- Student Assistance: U of A's Student Liaison Office guides online students to academic success.
Know Before You Enroll:
- SAT or ACT Requirements: Test scores are required of first-time undergraduates unless their high school GPAs are 3.2 or higher.
- Transfer Credits for Military Training: If you've completed military training, you may qualify for advanced program standing.
- Scholarships Require Testing: Most in-house U of A scholarships are only available to students who submit SAT or ACT scores.
Percent Online Enrollment
36%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula on our most affordable rankings. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), during the 2022-2023 academic year, tuition rates for four-year colleges in Arkansas were $871-$10,450 cheaper than the national average, making it a comparatively affordable state for college.
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Arkansas
A college degree can boost your earning potential. In fact, as workers' educational attainment increases, they typically see higher wages and lower unemployment rates, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Many of the fastest-growing careers in Arkansas require a degree. Careers in healthcare, nursing, and computer science appear on that list. Roles in these fields require specialized training.
The BLS projects jobs for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and occupational therapy assistants to see the most growth in Arkansas from 2022-2032.
Fastest-Growing Jobs in Arkansas That Require a Degree
| Job |
Projected Growth in Arkansas (2022-2032) |
Annual Mean Wage in Arkansas (May 2023) |
| Nurse Practitioners |
61% |
$113,410 |
| Physician Assistants |
34% |
$88,720 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants |
32% |
$75,290 |
| Information Security Analysts |
32% |
$93,150 |
| Software Developers |
32% |
$88,130 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers |
31% |
$97,250 |
| Labor Relations Specialist |
30% |
$59,130 |
| Logisticians |
28% |
$75,710 |
| Community and Social Services Specialists |
28% |
$43,530 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants |
27% |
$62,620 |
Source: BLS Arkansas, Arkansas Division of Workforce Services
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Arkansas' Job Market
If you're interested in pursuing one of the in-demand careers listed above, a bachelor's or master's degree in health, nursing, or computer science can help get you on the right path.
-
Health
Health science degree programs can prepare you to work as a medical and health services manager. Per the BLS, these professionals earned well above the overall median across occupations in 2023. The BLS also projects that jobs for these workers will grow much faster than average from 2023-2033. This type of program can also prepare you to pursue graduate degrees in medicine or physical therapy.
-
-
Computer Science
A computer science degree can be the first step toward a career as an information security analyst or software developer. An online computer science degree or accelerated computer science degree can help you take advantage of Arkansas' lower-than-average tuition rates to launch your career on your terms.
What Is the Cost of College in Arkansas?
The cost of online colleges in Arkansas varies depending on the school and your residency status. Some universities charge a separate fee for online students, while others charge the same residency-based tuition rates.
On average, you can expect to spend around $8,879 in tuition and fees at public colleges in the state, according to NCES. Private colleges cost an average of $24,798. That's lower than the national average by about $870 for public colleges and $10,450 for private colleges.
Average Cost of College in Arkansas (2022-2023)
| Institution Type |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in Arkansas |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in the U.S. |
| Public, Four-Year (In-State) |
$8,879 |
$9,750 |
| Public, Four-Year (Out-of-State) |
$23,091 |
$28,297 |
| Private, Four-Year |
$24,798 |
$35,248 |
Source: NCES
Scholarships and Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Arkansas
Scholarships and grants are a great way to lower your out-of-pocket expenses for online colleges in Arkansas. Online students can often qualify for the same scholarships as on-campus students.
You can potentially save thousands by applying for scholarships. Below are some of the best scholarships for Arkansas college students.
- Arkansas Future Grant: This grant covers full tuition and fees for Arkansas high school graduates pursuing an associate degree or certification in STEM or a regional high-demand area of study. Scholarships are awarded twice a year. Applications are due on January 10 or July 1.
- Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship: Arkansas residents can receive up to $14,000 over four years. The scholarship requires a minimum ACT score of 19. Applications are due on July 1.
- University of Arkansas Scholarships: Submitting an application to the University of Arkansas means you might qualify for numerous scholarships. February 1 is the final scholarship deadline each year.
- Arkansas Community Foundation Scholarships: Gain access to dozens of scholarships by filling out the Arkansas Community Foundation's eligibility quiz. Each scholarship has its own deadline, but most applications are accepted from February 1 to April 1.
- Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship: This scholarship awards up to $10,000 per year for four years to Arkansas students who meet high academic standards. The annual deadline is March 1.
Explore Top Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Arkansas
How many colleges are in Arkansas?
Per NCES, Arkansas has 27 four-year colleges and universities, including public and private nonprofit colleges, and 29 public and private nonprofit two-year colleges and universities. You can choose from online colleges in Arkansas or campuses across the state.
What is the cheapest online college in Arkansas?
Arkansas State University is one of the largest schools in the state and has some of the lowest tuition rates in Arkansas. Per NCES, during the 2023-2024 academic year, A-State charged in-state students $7,754 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state learners paid $13,826.
When it comes to the cheapest online-only college in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Grantham offers competitive tuition rates. According to NCES, students paid $8,280 in tuition at UA Grantham in 2023-2024. Tuition rates have not increased for several years.
What colleges are in Little Rock, Arkansas?
Public colleges in Little Rock, Arkansas, include the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. You could also attend the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, the University of Arkansas Grantham, or the two-year University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.
Private colleges near or in Little Rock include Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith University, Strayer University-Little Rock, and Baptist Health College Little Rock.
What colleges are in Fayetteville, Arkansas?
The University of Arkansas is in Fayetteville. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest university in the state. Ecclesia College in Springdale, NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, John Brown University in Siloam Springs, and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith are other colleges near Fayetteville.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Arkansas?
Many Arkansas colleges report a high acceptance rate. At Arkansas Tech University, for example, 96% of applicants received an acceptance letter in fall 2023. That means your odds of getting in are high when applying to this public institution.
Edited by