Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas
- 43
- Schools
- $40,062
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $12,319
- Avg. Net Price
- $15,965
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 43 schools run from $28,471 to $63,496, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas delivers the most for the money: roughly $33,775 in median earnings against $4,385 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is the lowest-cost school here at $4,385 a year in net price.
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Northwest Technical Institute graduates 73% of its students, versus a 47% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Southern Arkansas University Tech carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.16× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Black River Technical College ($34,818 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Arkansas Grantham ($63,496), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas costs $4,385 a year and Hendrix College costs $24,149. Yet their graduates earn $33,775 and $60,376, nowhere near the $19,764 price gap.
- On value, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas beats University of Arkansas Grantham: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas and Northwest Technical Institute. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $37K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Black River Technical College #1 overall | $34,818 ▼ -13% vs avg | $5,095 | 43% | 83 |
| 2 Ozarka College #2 overall | $29,314 ▼ -27% vs avg | $4,543 | 45% | 82 |
| $28,471 ▼ -29% vs avg | $7,220 | 49% | 79 | |
| $30,037 ▼ -25% vs avg | $4,842 | 58% | 79 | |
| $43,505 ▲ +9% vs avg | $7,196 | 29% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas
This analysis ranks 43 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $40,062 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $12,319.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas — Net Price: $4,385 | Graduation Rate: 51%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwest Technical Institute — 73% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Arkansas Grantham — Median alumni earnings: $63,496
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$37,374
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$12,287
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Across the 43 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $37,374 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 46%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $12,287 a year, with about $18,750 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 41% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $12,287, with graduates earning a median of $37,374 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Black River Technical College lands at #1 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,818 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Ozarka College lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $29,314 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,543 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Forrest City, AR · $7,220 net
Why it ranks #3
University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $28,471 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,220 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain lands at #4 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $30,037 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,842 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
NorthWest Arkansas Community College lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $43,505 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,196 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas lands at #6 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $29,552 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,848 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Arkansas Northeastern College lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $33,169 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,375 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Morrilton, AR · 100% accepted · $8,725 net
Why it ranks #8
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,924 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,725 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
De Queen, AR · $4,385 net
Why it ranks #9
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $33,775 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,385 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
South Arkansas College lands at #10 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $34,521 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,486 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville lands at #11 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $33,706 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,044 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Arkansas State University Three Rivers lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (40/100). Graduates earn a median $37,374 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,070 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Southern Arkansas University Tech lands at #13 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $36,376 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,018 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Arkansas State University-Newport lands at #14 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,524 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,444 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith lands at #15 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,102 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,574 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Arkansas Grantham lands at #16 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $63,496 a decade after enrolling, 58% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,370 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Arkansas State University Mid-South lands at #17 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (21/100). Graduates earn a median $31,857 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,427 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
North Arkansas College lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $34,653 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,180 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Arkansas State University lands at #19 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,617 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,366 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Pine Bluff, AR · 41% accepted · $12,653 net
Why it ranks #20
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff lands at #20 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,550 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,653 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Arkansas Tech University lands at #21 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $41,766 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,970 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home lands at #22 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $34,238 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,847 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Central Baptist College lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (63/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,789 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,287 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana lands at #24 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $34,162 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,270 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Arkansas State University-Beebe lands at #25 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $36,603 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,698 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Magnolia, AR · 75% accepted · $14,027 net
Why it ranks #26
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $42,386 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,027 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
National Park College lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $32,444 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,720 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Williams Baptist University lands at #28 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $38,484 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,745 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Arkansas at Monticello lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $36,902 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,287 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Philander Smith University lands at #30 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,427 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,224 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
North Little Rock, AR · $14,327 net
Why it ranks #31
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $34,722 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,327 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
University of Central Arkansas lands at #32 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,938 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,511 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Little Rock, AR · 59% accepted · $17,248 net
Why it ranks #33
University of Arkansas at Little Rock lands at #33 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $45,265 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,248 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of the Ozarks lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,384 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,360 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Arkansas lands at #35 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,191 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,209 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Lyon College lands at #36 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,232 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,616 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
John Brown University lands at #37 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,907 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,397 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Southeast Arkansas College lands at #38 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $33,603 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,038 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Northwest Technical Institute lands at #39 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (36/100). Graduates earn a median $41,513 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,992 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Harding University lands at #40 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,876 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,130 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Ouachita Baptist University lands at #41 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $51,673 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,409 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Henderson State University lands at #42 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,459 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,405 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Hendrix College lands at #43 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,376 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,149 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 43 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding an affordable college in Arkansas can be a daunting task, especially with rising tuition costs. This list highlights schools that offer the lowest net prices, making higher education more accessible for students. With a net price averaging just over $5,000, these institutions provide options that could significantly ease the financial burden of attending college.
The schools on this list stand out not only for their affordability but also for the outcomes they deliver. Key metrics such as graduate rates, average earnings, and debt levels reveal the broader picture of what students can expect after graduation. For instance, while many schools may have low tuition, the real value lies in their ability to help students secure good jobs and graduate on time.
Take Ozarka College and NorthWest Arkansas Community College as examples. Ozarka College has a low net price of $4,543 and a graduation rate of 45%, leading to average earnings of $29,314. In contrast, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, while featuring a higher earning potential at $43,505, also has a significant net price of $7,196 and a lower graduation rate of only 29%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students must consider when evaluating their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 25 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas leads the group at 2.9%, with Southern Arkansas University Tech (2.9%) and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (2.8%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 19.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas enrolls the most, at 39.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 12.9% across the list, peaking at 32.6% at University of Arkansas.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.13, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Hendrix College is highest at 1.70.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing Ozarka College and Black River Technical College, we see a clear distinction. Ozarka's graduation rate is 45%, yielding average earnings of $29,314, while Black River's 43% graduation rate leads to higher earnings of $34,818. This suggests that while both schools are affordable, Black River may offer a stronger return on investment despite the slight drop in graduation rate.
As you sift through the schools listed, consider what matters most for your college experience. Location, specific programs, and campus culture can greatly influence your decision. Make a list of your top priorities and weigh the financial figures against your personal goals. For example, if you value earning potential, Black River might be appealing, but if minimizing debt is your focus, Ozarka College could be a better fit.
This data illustrates the critical link between college choices and future stability. A family's decision about where to send their child can shape not just immediate financial outcomes but also long-term career trajectories. Choosing the right college can set the foundation for a stable life, making it essential to consider both costs and potential earnings carefully.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas ranking? +
Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, AR ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $34,818 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 43% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Arkansas Grantham posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,496 ten years after enrollment, well above the $40,062 average across the 43 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas leads: graduates earn a median $33,775 against net price of about $4,385 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Northwest Technical Institute has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 73%, compared with a 47% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $12,319 a year across the 43 ranked schools with cost data. Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is among the most affordable at roughly $4,385. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 43 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
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