# Best Business Colleges in Arkansas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 21 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-arkansas

## Methodology

Business programs in Arkansas ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a business degree in Arkansas, prospective students have a range of options to weigh. These schools share a commitment to developing business leaders and preparing graduates for the workforce, but they vary significantly in outcomes that matter most. For example, graduates from the University of Arkansas report average earnings of $58,191, making it one of the top choices for future business professionals.

The schools on this list were evaluated based on critical factors such as earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program focus. These metrics give a clearer picture of which institutions can help students succeed financially and academically. The average earnings across these business programs stand at $46,239, while the average graduation rate is 48%. This information is vital for families looking to invest in education that pays off.

To illustrate the differences, consider the University of Arkansas and the University of the Ozarks. While the former boasts a substantial earning potential of $58,191, the latter has lower earnings at $44,384 and a graduation rate of only 52%. This contrast highlights the importance of not just looking at costs but also at the potential return on investment when selecting a business program.

## Key Findings

- University of Arkansas graduates earn an average of $58,191, significantly higher than the average of $46,239 across all schools.
- Graduation rates vary widely, with University of Arkansas at 70%, while University of Arkansas Grantham is only 32%.
- With a net price of $8,370, University of Arkansas Grantham offers lower upfront costs but has a lower graduation rate.
- John Brown University and Ouachita Baptist University have similar earnings, $53,907 and $51,673 respectively, but also differ in net price, impacting long-term debt.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas) | Fayetteville, AR | 70% | $58,191 | $18,209 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 2 | [University of the Ozarks](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-ozarks) | Clarksville, AR | 52% | $44,384 | $17,360 | $20,875 | 0.47x |
| 3 | [John Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/john-brown-university) | Siloam Springs, AR | 69% | $53,907 | $20,397 | $21,250 | 0.39x |
| 4 | [University of Central Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-arkansas) | Conway, AR | 53% | $45,938 | $16,511 | $20,346 | 0.44x |
| 5 | [Ouachita Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ouachita-baptist-university) | Arkadelphia, AR | 66% | $51,673 | $22,409 | $21,050 | 0.41x |
| 6 | [Williams Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williams-baptist-university) | Walnut Ridge, AR | 31% | $38,484 | $15,745 | $21,820 | 0.57x |
| 7 | [Philander Smith University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/philander-smith-university) | Little Rock, AR | 31% | $38,427 | $14,224 | $24,736 | 0.64x |
| 8 | [Harding University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harding-university) | Searcy, AR | 70% | $52,876 | $22,130 | $26,500 | 0.5x |
| 9 | [Arkansas Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-tech-university) | Russellville, AR | 49% | $41,766 | $12,970 | $21,000 | 0.5x |
| 10 | [Arkansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university) | Jonesboro, AR | 55% | $42,617 | $12,366 | $20,500 | 0.48x |
| 11 | [University of Arkansas at Little Rock](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock) | Little Rock, AR | 42% | $45,265 | $17,248 | $22,000 | 0.49x |
| 12 | [Hendrix College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hendrix-college) | Conway, AR | 71% | $60,376 | $24,149 | $26,688 | 0.44x |
| 13 | [University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-at-pine-bluff) | Pine Bluff, AR | 40% | $35,550 | $12,653 | $24,202 | 0.68x |
| 14 | [Central Baptist College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-baptist-college) | Conway, AR | 35% | $46,789 | $12,287 | $22,250 | 0.48x |
| 15 | [Henderson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/henderson-state-university) | Arkadelphia, AR | 38% | $43,459 | $23,405 | $19,500 | 0.45x |
| 16 | [NorthWest Arkansas Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-arkansas-community-college) | Bentonville, AR | 29% | $43,505 | $7,196 | $9,506 | 0.22x |
| 17 | [University of Arkansas Grantham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-grantham) | LIttle Rock, AR | 32% | $63,496 | $8,370 | $21,956 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Lyon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lyon-college) | Batesville, AR | 51% | $44,232 | $19,616 | $21,500 | 0.49x |
| 19 | [University of Arkansas-Fort Smith](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-fort-smith) | Fort Smith, AR | 37% | $41,102 | $10,574 | $18,250 | 0.44x |
| 20 | [Southern Arkansas University Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-arkansas-university-main-campus) | Magnolia, AR | 48% | $42,386 | $14,027 | $18,750 | 0.44x |
| 21 | [Arkansas State University-Beebe](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university-beebe) | Beebe, AR | 40% | $36,603 | $11,698 | $8,093 | 0.22x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Business Colleges in Arkansas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-arkansas

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.