Best colleges in Arkansas

·Stacker

Joyseulay // Shutterstock
Joyseulay // Shutterstock

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Arkansas using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

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#10. John Brown University

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1 / 10

#10. John Brown University

- Location: Siloam Springs, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- SAT Range: 1070-1340

#9. University of Central Arkansas

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2 / 10

#9. University of Central Arkansas

- Location: Conway, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- SAT Range: 910-1170

#8. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

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3 / 10

#8. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

- Location: Fort Smith, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- SAT Range: not available

#7. Harding University

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4 / 10

#7. Harding University

- Location: Searcy, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- SAT Range: 1050-1290

#5. Southern Arkansas University

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6 / 10

#5. Southern Arkansas University

- Location: Magnolia, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- SAT Range: 880-1110

#4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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7 / 10

#4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

- Location: Little Rock, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- SAT Range: 960-1210

#3. Hendrix College

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8 / 10

#3. Hendrix College

- Location: Conway, AR
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- SAT Range: 1120-1350

#2. Ouachita Baptist University

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9 / 10

#2. Ouachita Baptist University

- Location: Arkadelphia, AR
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- SAT Range: 1070-1280

#1. University of Arkansas

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10 / 10

#1. University of Arkansas

- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- SAT Range: 1030-1220

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