2027 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	John Brown University	2091	68.02	1,050 – 1,340	21537	46114	#1 2027 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, 28% of those accepted decided to enroll. It offers up to Master's degrees, and popular programs include andGeneral Studies. Undergraduates 2,091 Acceptance Rate 68.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $21,537 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,114
2	University of Arkansas	29252	73.88	1,070 – 1,290	18408	49686	#2 2027 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 44% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 85%....Read more Undergraduates 29,252 Acceptance Rate 73.9% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $18,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,686
3	Harding University	3536	70.52	1,050 – 1,330	22806	43555	#3 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Harding University Searcy, AR In the last admissions cycle, Harding University 44% 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 3,536 Acceptance Rate 70.5% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $22,806 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,555
4	Ouachita Baptist University	1715	70.72	1,080 – 1,310	24532	41697	#4 2027 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 1,715 Acceptance Rate 70.7% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $24,532 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,697
5	Hendrix College	1069	78.22	1,180 – 1,410	24699	39913	#5 2027 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 $26,884. There are 24 majors and programs available, with many choosing to study Psychology, General. Undergraduates 1,069 Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $24,699 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,913
6	University of Central Arkansas	8238	91.57	1,010 – 1,210	16546	36670	#6 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Found in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas accepts 92% of applicants. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 72% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 8,238 Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,546 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,670
7	Lyon College	658	62.76	1,080 – 1,240	19872	37629	#7 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Lyon College Batesville, AR Found in Batesville, Lyon College accepts 63% 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 71% first year retention rate and a 38% four year graduation rate....Read more Undergraduates 658 Acceptance Rate 62.8% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $19,872 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,629
8	Arkansas Tech University	8279	97.47	930 – 1,180	12626	37638	#8 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Based in Russellville, Arkansas Tech University accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 70% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 74% of students continued......Read more Undergraduates 8,279 Acceptance Rate 97.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $12,626 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,638
9	Arkansas State University	11189	78.18	970 – 1,190	12410	38944	#9 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University accepts 78% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 93% of students attending Arkansas State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 66% of students continued studying at Arkansas State University......Read more Undergraduates 11,189 Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $12,410 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,944
10	University of the Ozarks	796	91.72	930 – 1,180	20088	37651	#10 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR Based in Clarksville, the University of the Ozarks accepts 92% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of students attending the University of the Ozarks will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 796 Acceptance Rate 91.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $20,088 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,651
11	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus	3153	70.12	930 – 1,140	13442	37008	#11 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR Based in Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accepts 70% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 91% of students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus will receive institutional grant aid. 74% of students decide to stay at Southern Arkansas University......Read more Undergraduates 3,153 Acceptance Rate 70.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $13,442 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,008
12	University of Arkansas at Monticello	2457	100	850 – 1,110	14613	31332	#12 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR Located in Monticello, the University of Arkansas at Monticello accepts 100% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 60% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At the University of Arkansas at Monticello, there is a 72%......Read more Undergraduates 2,457 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 850 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $14,613 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,332
13	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	5939	58.78	940 – 1,190	12033	40040	#13 2027 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 59% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 76% of students attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 5,939 Acceptance Rate 58.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $12,033 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,040
14	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	5467	70.41	930 – 1,140	11159	35925	#14 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Based in Fort Smith, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith accepted 70% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 81% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 5,467 Acceptance Rate 70.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $11,159 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,925
15	Henderson State University	1461	81.92	970 – 1,180	20444	35194	#15 2027 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 95% of students attending Henderson State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,461 Acceptance Rate 81.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $20,444 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,194
16	Philander Smith University	755	100	800 – 1,010	14082	25254	#16 2027 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 85% of students attending Philander Smith University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The......Read more Undergraduates 755 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 800 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $14,082 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,254
17	Central Baptist College	547	63.46	930 – 1,140	17469	37681	#17 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Central Baptist College Conway, AR Located in Conway, Central Baptist College accepted 63% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $25 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Central Baptist College will receive institutional grant aid. At Central Baptist College, there is a 63% first......Read more Undergraduates 547 Acceptance Rate 63.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $17,469 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,681
18	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	1817	41.18	810 – 1,000	12373	31161	#18 2027 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 Biology/Biological Sciences, General is the most popular area of study. It’s a highly selective school, and has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Alumni include professional athletes, jazz musicians, and politicians. Undergraduates 1,817 Acceptance Rate 41.2% SAT Score 810 – 1,000 Avg. Net Price $12,373 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,161
19	Williams Baptist University	495	83.42	890 – 1,080	12692	38067	#19 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR Found in Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist University accepts 83% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Williams Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 495 Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $12,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,067
20	Crowley's Ridge College	243	100	--	17162	33362	#20 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, AR Based in Paragould, Crowley's Ridge College accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 92% of students at Crowley's Ridge College currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 54% and......Read more Undergraduates 243 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $17,162 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,362
21	Ecclesia College	111	73.81	420 – 670	24552	32147	#21 2027 Best Colleges in Arkansas Ecclesia College Springdale, AR Located in Springdale, Ecclesia College’s acceptance rate is 74%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 91% of students at Ecclesia College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 48% of students decide to stay at Ecclesia......Read more Undergraduates 111 Acceptance Rate 73.8% SAT Score 420 – 670 Avg. Net Price $24,552 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,147