Best Online Colleges in Arkansas for 2024

Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Arkansas and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.

Arkansas is known as the natural state and is one of the southeastern states in the United States. Although Arkansas is stated as one of the most undereducated states in the Union, recent reports state that there are statewide efforts being put up by the schools, colleges, and universities to bring up the educational status of the state. Apart from improving the facilities for offline education, the universities and colleges are also putting their efforts into spreading online education across the state. By increasing the number of colleges/universities with online education facility they are trying to bring up the rate of degree attainment in the state.

The Arkansas Distance Learning Association has taken up the lead to promote and encourage distance education in the state. The state hosts annual programs to promote online education, manage all the financial aids and oversees the budget.

There is another association named the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) which focuses on promoting both online education as well as offline education throughout the state. There are 100% online education institutes setting up great examples to enhance online learning as a project under the University of Arkansas System.

Opportunities for college education in Arkansas

Arkansas has the most affordable colleges and universities when compared to the other states. The National Centre for Educational Statistics (NCES) reports that about 9.2% of students have enrolled for online education in the institutions located in Arkansas. There are 14 private not-for-profits, 5 private for-profits, and 33 public schools. In 2016, the total number of enrollment was 167,320. The total number of degrees awarded were 8,767 Associate's Degrees, 16,091 Bachelor's Degrees, 5,277 Master's Degrees, and 1,041 Doctorate Degrees. 

The state provides various financial aids and scholarships to the eligible students.

The number of students enrolling themselves in the best online colleges in Arkansas is increasing day by day. This is mostly because of the state’s support in promoting and initiating online education.

The following is a list of top online colleges in Arkansas in 2019

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
#

1 University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 92%

Average Financial Aid: $8,978

Acceptance Rate: 90.00

Total Programs Offered (34)


14

Education Programs

3

Information Systems Programs

3

Business Management Programs

14

Other Programs


The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is one of the south’s leading research universities. It has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers academic experience in Bachelors’, Masters and Doctoral levels.

It provides various scholarships to help the students in their education such as Scholarships for New UA Little Rock Students, for all students, for single parents, Arkansas Department of Higher Education and external scholarships, etc.

To get admission in UA Little Rock a GPA of 2.5 is necessary and ACT and SAT composite score of 19 and 990 is required.

It gives opportunities to military students to socialize, study and get information about available resources. It offers more than 450 online courses each semester so that students can get a high-quality college education.

The university has over 100 student organizations to provide the students with a better learning experience.

Arkansas State University
#

2 Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 93%

Average Financial Aid: $9,085

Acceptance Rate: 70.00

Total Programs Offered (44)


22

Education Programs

8

Business Management Programs

2

Nursing Programs

12

Other Programs


Arkansas State University is a public institution having a lush green campus and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers various degrees such as Undergraduate, Graduate, Online degree to their students.

The college has over 7000 world-class faculty members working as part time and full time. The students at ASU receive various scholarship and aids to support their study who are financially weak. The university provides financial assistance in the form of loans, waivers, grants, work-study, and on-campus employment.

The students who want to take admission in this college requires a minimum of 3.44 GPA out of a 4.0 GPA.

The university provides honor and recognition award to the meritorious students who are good in extra-curricular activities. It is called the Wilson Award and is presented every year.

Arkansas Tech University (ATU)
#

3 Arkansas Tech University (ATU)

Russellville, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 92%

Average Financial Aid: $6,641

Acceptance Rate: 64.00

Total Programs Offered (42)


17

Business Management Programs

12

Education Programs

4

Health Science Programs

9

Other Programs


Arkansas Tech University is a public institution which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association since 1930. It offers Certificate, Bachelors’, Associate and Graduate degrees in various programs.

To get admission a composite ACT score of 19 or above and SAT score of 990 or above is required. Also, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in a 4 scale GPA is necessary.

It provides online degree to make education for the students who can’t attend campus classes. It understands the unique qualities of thousands of military and veteran students and helps them achieve their educational goals.

It conducts about 1500 student events per year and has more than 170 student groups for the students to join.

University of Arkansas (UARK)
#

4 University of Arkansas (UARK)

Fayetteville, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 60%

Average Financial Aid: $6,526

Acceptance Rate: 63.00

Total Programs Offered (60)


29

Education Programs

6

Business Management Programs

4

Engineering Programs

21

Other Programs


University of Arkansas is a public university. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university offers various degrees such as Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral and Online certification.

They are having a total of 1477 faculties where 81 faculty members work in research and public service full time whereas 3 are working as part-time.

The university is providing financial aid to the financially weak students. They provide financial aid to 76% of their students. Some of the aids such as federal Pell grant, scholarship aids have been provided to the students.

They offer military members scholarship to students from all major academics and disciplines. Their Department of Theater had represented the university at national design forum and winners of the poster competition were honored at the ceremony.

Southern Arkansas University
#

5 Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 97%

Average Financial Aid: $8,865

Acceptance Rate: 69.00

Total Programs Offered (24)


10

Education Programs

6

Business Management Programs

4

Computer Science Programs

4

Other Programs


Southern Arkansas University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) offers different degree programs at different levels.

To get admission here the candidate must have completed the core curriculum and scored a minimum GPA of 2.0. Also, it is required for the candidate to have ACT scores of 19 and above.

It offers various online courses for its students to make their education easier and to receive their degrees. It is a military friendly college as it offers special services to the veterans such as a campus organization, housing, counseling, and testing.

It has more than 60 organizations for its students to be a part of. These organizations also sponsor activities and functions for students and the community.

#

6 Henderson State University (HSU)

Arkadelphia, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 95%

Average Financial Aid: $9,678

Acceptance Rate: 66.00

Total Programs Offered (6)


4

Education Programs

1

Business Management Program

1

Human Services Program


Henderson State University is a private institution having a green campus equipped with all the required facilities. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

It offers Bachelors, Masters, Associates degrees to their students. They also offer online courses for undergraduate and graduate. The university is having a total of 186 full-time faculties and 73 part-time faculties.

It provides financial aid to around 90% of its students. The minimum GPA required for admission is 3.19 GPA.

It has been consistently ranked as one of the top values for students seeking to various degrees. Henderson State University is also named among the top affordable colleges in various rankings.

John Brown University (JBU)
#

7 John Brown University (JBU)

Siloam Springs, Arkansas


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 99%

Average Financial Aid: $17,095

Acceptance Rate: 77.00

Total Programs Offered (21)


8

Education Programs

6

Business Management Programs

2

Psychology Programs

5

Other Programs


John Brown University is a leading private Christian university which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers various programs in undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs.

It is ranked as the 8th best college for veterans in the south by the U.S. News and World Report. Militarian or veterans who are serving the country can complete the degrees through JBU online. They will also receive college credit for their military training and occupational specialties.

To get admission in this university a minimum GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale is required. Also, average ACT and SAT scores of 25.6 and 1234 respectively are needed.

It has many student clubs in different areas such as academic clubs, sports clubs, and special interest clubs. It has The Centre for Healthy Relationships and Milestone Leadership, the 2 well known associated centers that serve the university, community and the nation.

University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
#

8 University of Central Arkansas (UCA)

Conway, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 97%

Average Financial Aid: $7,316

Acceptance Rate: 90.00

Total Programs Offered (31)


12

Education Programs

7

Business Management Programs

5

Nursing Programs

7

Other Programs


University of Central Arkansas, a public research university, in Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

It offers Graduate degree, Undergraduate degree, Doctorate degree, and other online certificate courses.

The minimum GPA required to take admission in this university for freshmen students is GPA 2.74. The university has 726 faculty among which 539 are for full time and remaining for half time.

They have veteran affairs office for veteran candidates to help them with all their educational and personal needs in the campus. It provides various financial aids to the students so that they can fulfill their education goals.

#

9 Southern Arkansas University Tech

Camden, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 80%

Average Financial Aid: $5,743

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (13)


3

Education Programs

3

Applied Science Programs

3

Health Science Programs

4

Other Programs


Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public community college that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers different programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees.

It offers several full-time online programs and some partially online programs and certificates.

The tuition per credit hour for Arkansas resident is $108 and for out-of-state students is $156. The university annually awards scholarships to 20 students who are pursuing under graduation. The scholarship is worth $2,500 in both spring and fall.

It also encourages the students to join various student organizations for the betterment of the students. It has clubs related to aviation, culture, leadership, etc.

College of the Ouachitas
#

10 College of the Ouachitas

Malvern, Arkansas


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 89%

Average Financial Aid: $5,096

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (4)


4

Education Programs


College of the Ouachitas (COTO) is a public college at Arkansas. It is governed by a state-appointed board of seven community members and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

It offers more than 50 programs along with the region’s best professional and technical program. The students can apply for core courses such as Composition, Psychology, Algebra, History and many more. Core credits are available in the academic programs and transferable to other colleges.

In order to support students financially, it provides various grants and scholarships. In addition to this, experts are always available to students for any query. It is necessary to complete 12 credit hours for a student. The minimum GPA requirements for taking admission is 3.0 GPA.

COTO is one of the nation’s top community colleges and has increased its credential awards received from 28 for every 100 full-time equivalent student in 2006 up to 46 in 2010.