Best Colleges in Arkansas of 2023

The University of Arkansas had its beginnings as a land-grant institution over 150 years ago. Located among the rolling hills of Fayetteville, U of A is home to 27,000 students from across the country and globe, making it the largest college in the state. The university is made up of 10 different schools and colleges that support nearly 250 academic programs. For the last decade, the university has maintained its Carnegie Classification as a R1 research institution of higher education, a distinction held by only 146 schools in the nation. The university's wide range of academic programs and prestigious research makes this school a smart choice for prospective students wanting to attend one of the best colleges in the state.

About an hour northeast of Little Rock is Harding University in the quaint city of Searcy. This private Christian school was founded in 1924 after the merging of Arkansas Christian College and Harper College. Harding has 10 academic colleges that offer over 160 degrees and programs for their students. The school runs six semester-long programs in six different locations: Greece, Australasia, Florence, Latin America, England, and Zambia. Summer programs are also available for art and design, business, education, athletics, music, and research in places such as Europe, Egypt, India, and Japan. Harding allows its students to use grants, loans, and scholarships to pay for their semesters abroad and will guide their study abroad applicants regarding financial aid and program costs.

Hendrix College takes their commitment to a liberal arts education seriously and claims that the school goes beyond learning facts by engaging their students in hands-on experiences. Students can choose from 33 minor, 30 major, and seven pre-professional programs. For students looking to take on a multidisciplinary approach, Hendrix allows students to design their own degrees, combining courses under the guidance of faculty. The Odyssey Program is a special learning track that guarantees students will complete at least three hands-on experiences abroad, nationally, and in the local community. Students participate in study tours, mission trips, volunteer service projects, student leadership, academic publications, musical performances, and theatrical productions to name a few. Hendrix even provides Odyssey grants to students who need financial assistance.

Founded in 1886, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private Christian college located in Arkadelphia. This liberal arts university has eight different schools that support their academic programs, one such school being an interdisciplinary study school. Ouachita Baptist is one of the smaller colleges on our list, with around 1,700 students in attendance as of fall 2021. The small school size and impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 makes OBU a great choice for those who want more of a personal connection with their professors. Smaller class sizes allow for teachers to take on more of a mentor role, making it easier for them to come alongside their students and provide more than a lecture.

John Brown University is an interdenominational private Christian institution that provides a liberal arts education to its students. For the last century, JBU has led its students on a mission to integrate faith and learning. The university is committed to its education philosophy of thinking critically to pursue truth, engage in faith and community, and serve others through the development of practical career skills. There are 52 undergraduate degrees available for JBU students, six online bachelor's degree programs for working students, and over 20 online graduate degree programs. JBU has three campuses located in Arkansas: Siloam Springs, Rogers, and Little Rock. John Brown University is a great choice for those who want a faith-based education within the Christian tradition.

The University of the Ozarks is another small private Christian school with a lot to offer. This liberal arts university takes on a multidisciplinary approach, providing well-rounded experiences across multiple disciplines. The school offers three unique programs available to all students to enrich and empower their education experience. The Learning Environment for New Synthesis (LENS) program gives students the academic freedom of a multidisciplinary path with the choice of a major in the Humanities and Fine Arts "lens," a minor in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics "lens," and a minor in the Social Sciences "lens." The Compass Initiative equips each student with an iPad, keyboard, and Apple pencil for digital access to textbooks, videos, and the school's online learning system. Finally, the study abroad programs give students the opportunity to participate in a global education experience.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was founded in 1890 as a land-grant historically Black college and university (HBCU). Although initially created to provide Black students and education to become teachers, the school is now home to a diverse student body. There are more than 30 undergraduate programs, 13 master's programs, and one doctorate program. Of all the other top Arkansas colleges on our list, UAPB has the lowest tuition price per credit. Full-time in-state students can expect to pay approximately $8,400 in tuition while out-of-state students can expect to pay more, at around $15,300. Both of these figures are well under the national average tuition rate for four-year universities.

Arkansas State University is one of the largest public colleges in Arkansas, second only to the top school on our list. On average, A-State has around 14,000 students enrolled each year and maintains a faculty of more than 1,500 professionals. The university is a doctoral-level public research institute located in Jonesboro. Campus life is full of excitement, with over 150 student organizations and three student centers for recreation, leadership, and multicultural education. Students interested in study abroad or exchange student experiences can take advantage of the school's international programs available across more than 15 countries. A-State also has an official campus in Querétaro, México, which offers students business and science degrees that are valid both in Mexico and the United States.

Philander Smith College was founded in 1877 as Walden Seminary, one of the first colleges west of the Mississippi River created to educate former African American slaves. In 1883, the seminary's name was changed to Philander Smith College after a significant donation was given to the school by Mrs. Smith, the widow of the late Mr. Philander Smith. This small private Christian college is now home to a diverse population of just over 700 students. The school's five core academic divisions cover arts, business, education, natural sciences, and social sciences. PSC even offers two dual degree programs in conjunction with the University of Arkansas within science, engineering, and public health disciplines.

The University of Arkansas operates a system of six university campuses located across the state. UAFS is the easternmost campus and was established in 1928. This campus offers certificate, two-year degree, and four-year degree programs with a focus on traditional liberal arts studies. UAFS provides students with an impressive amount of support through its tuition "lock-in" promise for eligible first-time students, more than 100 student organizations, and a special in-state tuition offering for select bordering states (Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas). Another way the school supports its students is through safety, employing eight certified police officers who provide criminal prevention and investigation every day. UAFS was recently named one of the "safest universities in Arkansas."