Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Arkansas by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest Arkansas colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 16
- Cheapest net price
- $10,574
- Top earnings 10y
- $60,376
- Public / Private
- 7 / 9
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
C- Acceptance
- 41.2%
- Net price
- $12,653
- Earnings 10y
- $35,550
- Acceptance
- 41.2%
Hendrix College
C- Acceptance
- 55.7%
- Net price
- $24,149
- Earnings 10y
- $60,376
- Acceptance
- 55.7%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
C- Acceptance
- 58.8%
- Net price
- $17,248
- Earnings 10y
- $45,265
- Acceptance
- 58.8%
University of the Ozarks
C- Acceptance
- 59.5%
- Net price
- $17,360
- Earnings 10y
- $44,384
- Acceptance
- 59.5%
Lyon College
C- Acceptance
- 62.8%
- Net price
- $19,616
- Earnings 10y
- $44,232
- Acceptance
- 62.8%
Central Baptist College
B- Acceptance
- 63.5%
- Net price
- $12,287
- Earnings 10y
- $46,789
- Acceptance
- 63.5%
Ouachita Baptist University
C- Acceptance
- 67.5%
- Net price
- $22,409
- Earnings 10y
- $51,673
- Acceptance
- 67.5%
Harding University
C- Acceptance
- 70.5%
- Net price
- $22,130
- Earnings 10y
- $52,876
- Acceptance
- 70.5%
Ecclesia College
D- Acceptance
- 73.8%
- Net price
- $22,075
- Earnings 10y
- $40,650
- Acceptance
- 73.8%
University of Arkansas
B- Acceptance
- 74.3%
- Net price
- $18,209
- Earnings 10y
- $58,191
- Acceptance
- 74.3%
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
B- Acceptance
- 75.3%
- Net price
- $14,027
- Earnings 10y
- $42,386
- Acceptance
- 75.3%
John Brown University
C- Acceptance
- 76.1%
- Net price
- $20,397
- Earnings 10y
- $53,907
- Acceptance
- 76.1%
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
B- Acceptance
- 80.5%
- Net price
- $10,574
- Earnings 10y
- $41,102
- Acceptance
- 80.5%
Arkansas State University
B- Acceptance
- 82.3%
- Net price
- $12,366
- Earnings 10y
- $42,617
- Acceptance
- 82.3%
Williams Baptist University
C- Acceptance
- 83.4%
- Net price
- $15,745
- Earnings 10y
- $38,484
- Acceptance
- 83.4%
University of Central Arkansas
C- Acceptance
- 89.5%
- Net price
- $16,511
- Earnings 10y
- $45,938
- Acceptance
- 89.5%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Arkansas colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.95 (7 public, 9 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 41.2%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance 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?
16 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.