# Best Nursing Colleges in Arkansas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 18 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-arkansas

## Methodology

Nursing 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 nursing program in Arkansas, prospective students have a variety of schools to weigh. With nursing careers projected to grow significantly, choosing the right college can set the foundation for a rewarding profession. In this list, we focus on the best nursing colleges in the state, which are distinguished by their strong outcomes and specialized programs. 

The schools ranked here stand out due to key factors like earnings after graduation, graduation rates, average debt, and the ability to promote upward mobility. These metrics provide a comprehensive picture of what students can expect from their educational investment. Below, you can see how each program measures up, helping you assess the best fit for your goals. 

For instance, NorthWest Arkansas Community College has an impressive graduation rate of 29% with earnings averaging $43,505, while Arkansas State University-Beebe offers a better graduation rate of 40% but lower earnings at $36,603. This contrast highlights the trade-offs to consider as you explore your options.

## Key Findings

- NorthWest Arkansas Community College has an average earnings of $43,505, but only a 29% graduation rate.
- Arkansas State University has the highest graduation rate at 55%, with average earnings of $42,617.
- Graduates from these programs have an average debt of $20,500, contributing to long-term financial decisions.
- The average graduation rate across the top nursing colleges is 50%, indicating room for improvement in program completion.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [NorthWest Arkansas Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-arkansas-community-college) | Bentonville, AR | 29% | $43,505 | $7,196 | $9,506 | 0.22x |
| 2 | [Arkansas Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-tech-university) | Russellville, AR | 49% | $41,766 | $12,970 | $21,000 | 0.5x |
| 3 | [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 |
| 4 | [Arkansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university) | Jonesboro, AR | 55% | $42,617 | $12,366 | $20,500 | 0.48x |
| 5 | [University of Central Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-arkansas) | Conway, AR | 53% | $45,938 | $16,511 | $20,346 | 0.44x |
| 6 | [Ouachita Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ouachita-baptist-university) | Arkadelphia, AR | 66% | $51,673 | $22,409 | $21,050 | 0.41x |
| 7 | [University of the Ozarks](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-ozarks) | Clarksville, AR | 52% | $44,384 | $17,360 | $20,875 | 0.47x |
| 8 | [Hendrix College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hendrix-college) | Conway, AR | 71% | $60,376 | $24,149 | $26,688 | 0.44x |
| 9 | [Henderson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/henderson-state-university) | Arkadelphia, AR | 38% | $43,459 | $23,405 | $19,500 | 0.45x |
| 10 | [University of Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas) | Fayetteville, AR | 70% | $58,191 | $18,209 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 11 | [John Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/john-brown-university) | Siloam Springs, AR | 69% | $53,907 | $20,397 | $21,250 | 0.39x |
| 12 | [Harding University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harding-university) | Searcy, AR | 70% | $52,876 | $22,130 | $26,500 | 0.5x |
| 13 | [Arkansas State University-Beebe](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university-beebe) | Beebe, AR | 40% | $36,603 | $11,698 | $8,093 | 0.22x |
| 14 | [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 |
| 15 | [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 |
| 16 | [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 |
| 17 | [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 |
| 18 | [Central Baptist College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-baptist-college) | Conway, AR | 35% | $46,789 | $12,287 | $22,250 | 0.48x |

## 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 Nursing Colleges in Arkansas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-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/.