Ranking

Best Colleges in Arkansas by ROI 2026

University of Arkansas Grantham leads this ROI ranking with a A+ value grade and a 18.97 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 21 colleges here by earnings against net price.

The top-value Arkansas colleges — graduate earnings against net price, from federal data.

Schools ranked: 21
Cheapest net price: $8,370
Top earnings 10y: $63,496
Public / Private: 9 / 12

University of Arkansas Grantham

A+

LIttle Rock, AR · Public

ROI score: 18.97
Net price: $8,370
Earnings 10y: $63,496
Acceptance: Open / not reported

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public

ROI score: 9.72
Net price: $10,574
Earnings 10y: $41,102
Acceptance: 80.5%

Central Baptist College

Conway, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 9.52
Net price: $12,287
Earnings 10y: $46,789
Acceptance: 63.5%

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR · Public

ROI score: 8.62
Net price: $12,366
Earnings 10y: $42,617
Acceptance: 82.3%

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public

ROI score: 7.99
Net price: $18,209
Earnings 10y: $58,191
Acceptance: 74.3%

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR · Public

ROI score: 7.55
Net price: $14,027
Earnings 10y: $42,386
Acceptance: 75.3%

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, AR · Public

ROI score: 7.02
Net price: $12,653
Earnings 10y: $35,550
Acceptance: 41.2%

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR · Public

ROI score: 6.96
Net price: $16,511
Earnings 10y: $45,938
Acceptance: 89.5%

Philander Smith University

Little Rock, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.75
Net price: $14,224
Earnings 10y: $38,427
Acceptance: Open / not reported

#10

Arkansas Baptist College

Little Rock, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.69
Net price: $10,627
Earnings 10y: $28,418
Acceptance: Open / not reported

#11

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.61
Net price: $20,397
Earnings 10y: $53,907
Acceptance: 76.1%

#12

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR · Public

ROI score: 6.56
Net price: $17,248
Earnings 10y: $45,265
Acceptance: 58.8%

#13

University of the Ozarks

Clarksville, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.39
Net price: $17,360
Earnings 10y: $44,384
Acceptance: 59.5%

#14

Hendrix College

Conway, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.25
Net price: $24,149
Earnings 10y: $60,376
Acceptance: 55.7%

#15

Williams Baptist University

Walnut Ridge, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.11
Net price: $15,745
Earnings 10y: $38,484
Acceptance: 83.4%

#16

Crowley's Ridge College

Paragould, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.06
Net price: $16,315
Earnings 10y: $39,533
Acceptance: Open / not reported

#17

Harding University

Searcy, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 5.97
Net price: $22,130
Earnings 10y: $52,876
Acceptance: 70.5%

#18

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 5.76
Net price: $22,409
Earnings 10y: $51,673
Acceptance: 67.5%

#19

Lyon College

Batesville, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 5.64
Net price: $19,616
Earnings 10y: $44,232
Acceptance: 62.8%

#20

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR · Public

ROI score: 4.64
Net price: $23,405
Earnings 10y: $43,459
Acceptance: Open / not reported

#21

Ecclesia College

Springdale, AR · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 4.60
Net price: $22,075
Earnings 10y: $40,650
Acceptance: 73.8%

How we picked this list

This list starts with Arkansas colleges, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.35 (9 public, 12 private).

Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.

FAQ

Who leads this ranking?

University of Arkansas Grantham in LIttle Rock, AR tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A+.

How does EduGradify pick this list?

We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.

How many Arkansas colleges are in this list?

21 Arkansas colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.

What does net price mean here?

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.

Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?

Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.