2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in Arkansas

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Hendrix College	1101	55.63	1,240 – 1,400	24236	39913	#1 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Hendrix College Conway, AR Most students at Hendrix College are undergraduates, but it awards up to Master's degrees. The school gives 100% of students institutional grant aid, with each package averaging $25,518. There are 26 majors and programs available, with many choosing to study Psychology, General. Undergraduates 1,101 Acceptance Rate 55.6% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $24,236 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,913
2	John Brown University	1882	67.64	1,110 – 1,350	21464	46114	#2 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR John Brown University sits on a 200-acre campus featuring the Cathedral of the Ozarks and the Windgate Visual Art Buildings. A fairly selective school, 36% of those accepted decided to enroll. It offers up to Master's degrees, and popular programs include andGeneral Studies. Undergraduates 1,882 Acceptance Rate 67.6% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $21,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,114
3	University of Arkansas	28859	74.31	1,070 – 1,290	17475	49686	#3 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Located in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay $40 to apply. Approximately 39% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 86%....Read more Undergraduates 28,859 Acceptance Rate 74.3% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $17,475 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,686
4	Ouachita Baptist University	1729	67.52	1,110 – 1,310	22087	41697	#4 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR Ouachita Baptist University, associated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, first opened in 1886. 577 athletes are known as the Tigers wear purple and gold while competing in Football, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, and other sports....Read more Undergraduates 1,729 Acceptance Rate 67.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,087 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,697
5	Harding University	3523	39.42	1,080 – 1,310	21069	43555	#5 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Harding University Searcy, AR In the last admissions cycle, Harding University 93% of accepted students decided to attend the following fall. In addition, 98% of students attending Harding receive institutional grant aid to help them afford tuition. Student athletes are known as the Bisons, and they wear black and gold....Read more Undergraduates 3,523 Acceptance Rate 39.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $21,069 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,555
6	Arkansas State University	9985	79.59	970 – 1,180	13002	38944	#6 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University accepts 80% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 87% of students attending Arkansas State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of students continued studying at Arkansas State University......Read more Undergraduates 9,985 Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,002 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,944
7	University of the Ozarks	782	59.51	1,040 – 1,200	16651	37651	#7 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR Based in Clarksville, the University of the Ozarks accepts 60% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending the University of the Ozarks will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 782 Acceptance Rate 59.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,651 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,651
8	Lyon College	584	65.54	1,080 – 1,240	22675	37629	#8 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Lyon College Batesville, AR Found in Batesville, Lyon College accepts 66% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Lyon College currently receive institutional grant aid. At Lyon College, there is a 50% first year retention rate and a 37% four year graduation rate....Read more Undergraduates 584 Acceptance Rate 65.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,675 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,629
9	University of Central Arkansas	8268	89.49	1,010 – 1,210	16362	36670	#9 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Found in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas accepts 89% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 70% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 8,268 Acceptance Rate 89.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,362 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,670
10	Arkansas Tech University	8145	95.89	930 – 1,140	11443	37638	#10 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Based in Russellville, Arkansas Tech University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 75% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 74% of students continued......Read more Undergraduates 8,145 Acceptance Rate 95.9% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $11,443 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,638
11	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	5789	57.74	1,010 – 1,220	11225	40040	#11 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock accepted 58% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 60% of students attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 5,789 Acceptance Rate 57.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $11,225 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,040
12	Central Baptist College	550	46.36	990 – 1,190	16672	37681	#12 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Central Baptist College Conway, AR Located in Conway, Central Baptist College accepted 46% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $25 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students at Central Baptist College will receive institutional grant aid. At Central Baptist College, there is a 61% first......Read more Undergraduates 550 Acceptance Rate 46.4% SAT Score 990 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $16,672 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,681
13	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus	3102	75.33	930 – 1,180	14164	37008	#13 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR Based in Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accepts 75% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 85% of students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus will receive institutional grant aid. 66% of students decide to stay at Southern Arkansas University......Read more Undergraduates 3,102 Acceptance Rate 75.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $14,164 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,008
14	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	1905	57.54	880 – 1,050	11649	31161	#14 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public HBCU that has eight academic divisions, though Business Administration and Management, General is the most popular area of study. It’s a fairly selective school, and has a 15 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Alumni include professional athletes, jazz musicians, and politicians. Undergraduates 1,905 Acceptance Rate 57.5% SAT Score 880 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $11,649 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,161
15	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	5463	81.47	1,010 – 1,180	10387	35925	#15 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Based in Fort Smith, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith accepted 81% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 5,463 Acceptance Rate 81.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $10,387 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,925
16	Philander Smith University	848	100	800 – 1,010	14986	25254	#16 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, Philander Smith University accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. Approximately 60% of students attending Philander Smith University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The......Read more Undergraduates 848 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 800 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $14,986 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,254
17	Henderson State University	1493	81.92	970 – 1,180	16929	35194	#17 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR Located in Arkadelphia, Henderson State University’s acceptance rate is 82% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Henderson State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,493 Acceptance Rate 81.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,929 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,194
18	Williams Baptist University	491	58.88	960 – 1,170	16658	38067	#18 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR Undergraduates 491 Acceptance Rate 58.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $16,658 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,067
19	University of Arkansas at Monticello	2328	96.29	850 – 1,110	13575	31332	#19 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR Located in Monticello, the University of Arkansas at Monticello accepts 96% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 46% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At the University of Arkansas at Monticello, there is a 40%......Read more Undergraduates 2,328 Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $13,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,332
20	Crowley's Ridge College	225	46.36	--	17266	33362	#20 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, AR Undergraduates 225 Acceptance Rate 46.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $17,266 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,362
21	Ecclesia College	138	47.5	970 – 1,210	24610	32147	#21 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Ecclesia College Springdale, AR Located in Springdale, Ecclesia College’s acceptance rate is 48%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Ecclesia College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 54% of students decide to stay at......Read more Undergraduates 138 Acceptance Rate 47.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,610 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,147
22	University of Arkansas Grantham	3203	0	--	9186	26870	#22 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas Grantham LIttle Rock, AR Undergraduates 3,203 Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $9,186 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,870
23	Arkansas Baptist College	373	57.74	--	11047	22652	#23 2026 Best Colleges in Arkansas Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, Arkansas Baptist College accepts 58% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 9% of students attending Arkansas Baptist College currently receive institutional grant aid. At Arkansas Baptist College, there is a 31% first year......Read more Undergraduates 373 Acceptance Rate 57.7% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,047 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,652