By BVS Staff
Welcome to our best value ranking of online colleges in Arkansas. For a ranking of flexible online degree programs, check out our overall ranking of the best cheap online colleges.
There are approximately 20 different institutions of higher education in Arkansas, but only about half enroll a decent portion of students in online courses. Of those online-accessible schools, we're bringing you the 10 "best value." These top 10 colleges all earned at least 65 points (out of 100) in our ranking.
Methodology
Click here to read all about our best value online schools ranking methodology.
10. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
Students who prefer a partially online experience will thrive at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Fully online degrees are less common than hybrid and web-enhanced programs, although students can obtain bachelor's degrees in nursing and criminal justice entirely through remote systems. This career-focused and affordable online school in Arkansas aims first to provide a flexible education, enabling students to fit even a partly on-campus education into their busy schedules. Whether entirely online or just web-enhanced, all classes retain a low student-to-professor ratio, making UAFS's one of the most flexible and affordable degrees on this Arkansas best online degrees ranking.
In-State Tuition: $5,062/yr
Score: 69
9. Central Baptist College
Conway, AR
Those looking for a faith-based, accredited online college in Arkansas should strongly consider Central Baptist College in Conway. Although CBC launched its first 100% online degree program five years ago, the school has been offering distance-learning courses for years. Right now fully online degrees include an Associate of Arts in General Education, a B.S. in Leadership and Ministry, and a Bachelor in Business Administration. Students who aren't fans of the Blackboard course management system will appreciate that CBC is one of the few on this Arkansas accredited online colleges ranking to use a system other than Blackboard (the school uses Webstudy instead) for course delivery.
In-State Tuition: $14,400/yr
Score: 71
8. Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas State University has experience on its side; the school is home to one of the oldest online degree programs in the state. A-State faculty have relied on university technologists to help them design and implement over two dozen of the top online degree(s) in Arkansas. The A-State Online Services team also provides extensive faculty training and support to ensure that instructors can provide the same high-quality education to online learners that they do traditional on-campus students. And those who see a master's degree in their future will appreciate that a number of ASU online programs come in both undergraduate and graduate variations.
In-State Tuition: $8,050/yr
Score: 77
7. University of Arkansas at Monticello
Monticello, AR
The University of Arkansas at Monticello received approval for is first fully online undergraduate degree just this year. UA Monticello's robust School of Education is home to this inaugural online degree, which is in Education Studies. Notably, many of the university's other online courses, although they don't constitute a full degree program, are also rooted in the School of Education. As such, the Education Studies program provides an apt representation of UA Monticello's distance learning initiatives as a whole, which focus on essential elements of teaching like instructional technology, reading, and learning development. Interested students may also be able to explore minors in Teaching and Learning as well as Coaching through online education.
In-State Tuition: $6,446/yr
Score: 83
6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR
Sheer size is a big part of makes the University of Arkansas at Little Rock one of the best online school in Arkansas; the institution offers 14 accredited degree and certificate programs and nearly 500 fully online courses in subjects ranging from social work to nursing to criminal justice. Although they pay a reduced tuition, fully online students still receive full access to academic resources like the school's library and IT support. And with half of its students enrolled as distance learners — by far the highest proportion on this list — UALR has clearly attracted a lot of interest in Arkansas.
In-State Tuition: $7,624/yr
Score: 84
5. Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia, AR
Southern Arkansas University claims to be the fastest growing university in Arkansas, and the school's distance learning program is no exception: With over 1,200 students currently enrolled in online courses, SAU offers some of the top online degrees in Arkansas. One of the most popular is the career-focused RN-BSN Online Completion Program, which enables registered nurses who already have an associate degree to expand their career options with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The school is steadily growing its offerings in distance learning courses and fully online degrees, so students can expect a dynamic curriculum that challenges them every step of the way.
In-State Tuition: $7,961/yr
Score: 87
4. University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
The University of Arkansas boasts a laudable 62% graduation rate for undergraduate students, a statistic that far surpasses the performance of the other schools on this affordable Arkansas online degrees ranking. First and foremost, a high graduation rate means a better chance that U of A students will find success in their time on campus (or online). But this notable figure also alludes to a distinct University of Arkansas tradition involving the Senior Walk. This unique sidewalk bears the names of more than 150,000 university graduates, and each year the school carries out the century-old ceremony of carving a new set of engravings into the cement. But if seeing your name alongside alumni from the first class of 1876 isn't motivation enough, check out the university's extensive list of online degree programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the country.
In-State Tuition: $8,522/yr
Score: 89
3. Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR
As the only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas, Henderson State University should be a strong contender for any humanities-focused student looking to earn an accredited online degree in Arkansas. This "School with a Heart" aims to provide all students, including those earning their degrees online, with a thoroughly liberal arts education that you won't find at any of the other schools on this list. The well-regarded Henderson Teachers College boasts the strongest of the school's online programs, and teacher education and education leadership degrees have become quite popular among commute-conscious students.
In-State Tuition: $8,100/yr
Score: 90
2. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is the oldest and largest historically black college or university in Arkansas, with a long-standing tradition of excellence that extends to the school's growing online program. The school takes a different tack than most other institutions on this list, offering a large number of varied online courses rather than a small, focused set of 100% online degree programs. This approach likely explains why more than a third of Pine Bluff students are enrolled in distance learning courses. UAPB also wins big for having a tiny tuition rate of just $6,500 per year (remember, that's just for in-state students!), making it by far one of the most affordable online schools in Arkansas and a major attraction for rural students.
In-State Tuition: $6,538/yr
Score: 94
1. Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
As you might expect from a technical university, Arkansas Tech University has built an impressive online learning program. The school established an entirely separate College of eTech, equipped with its own dean and designated staff list, to manage the school's online learning systems across myriad subjects and degrees. This unique approach has enabled the school to develop a dozen fully online programs, several of which are difficult to find elsewhere within Arkansas. The school's high graduation and online enrollment rates - not to mention its focus on providing a consistent and state-of-the-art online learning experience - make ATU the best online school in Arkansas.
In-State Tuition: $6,192/yr
Score: 100
What did you think of these top online degrees in Arkansas? You might want to check out our ranking of the best colleges and universities in Arkansas.
Sources:
College Navigator
IPEDS Data Center
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