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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas

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2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas

12 Schools Ranked
$11,492 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,250 Avg Student Debt

Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 12 schools in Arkansas to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Arkansas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
5,305 Total Awards
$9,656 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,843 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Arkansas to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Arkansas. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the large public school handed out 5,305 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $9,656 in tuition and fees if they attend UARK full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $27,410. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,843 in loans while pursuing their degree.

UARK does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Arkansas

#2

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
801 Total Awards
$23,148 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,552 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Harding University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Harding is located in Searcy, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 801 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Harding, expect to pay an average of $23,148 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,552 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Harding. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#3

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
543 Total Awards
$7,560 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,903 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Henderson State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Arkansas. Located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 543 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $7,560 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Henderson State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,768. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,903 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Henderson State University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#4

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas
1,253 Total Awards
$9,512 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,589 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 12 schools in Arkansas that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arkansas at Little Rock landed the # 4 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,253 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Arkansas who attend UA Little Rock full time pay an average of $9,512 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,767. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UA Little Rock accumulate an average of $21,589 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that UA Little Rock does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full University of Arkansas at Little Rock Report

#5

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, Arkansas
344 Total Awards
$29,720 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,497 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means John Brown University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 344 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at JBU is $29,720. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,497 in student loans.

Online courses are available at JBU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#6

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
1,733 Total Awards
$9,778 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,997 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Arkansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. UCA is located in Conway, Arkansas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,733 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UCA is $9,778. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,728. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,997 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at UCA, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Central Arkansas Report

1,737 Total Awards
$7,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,068 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,737 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $7,456 in tuition and fees if they attend A-State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,312. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from A-State accumulate an average of $22,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

A-State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Main Campus

#8

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
1,118 Total Awards
$8,071 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,443 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Tech University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. ATU is a public institution located in Russellville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,118 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $8,071 in tuition and fees if they attend ATU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,891. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,443 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at ATU. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Arkansas Tech University

#9

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Fort Smith, Arkansas
676 Total Awards
$6,418 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,338 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UAFS is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It awarded 676 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UAFS is $6,418. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,594. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UAFS accumulate an average of $20,338 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at UAFS, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Report

552 Total Awards
$9,580 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,578 Avg Student Debt

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas list. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, Arkansas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 552 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $9,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,010. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accumulate an average of $21,578 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Report

#11

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, Arkansas
310 Total Awards
$8,431 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,291 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Monticello came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Arkansas ranking. This small public school is located in Monticello, Arkansas, and it awarded 310 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Arkansas who attend UAM full time pay an average of $8,431 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,281. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,291 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that UAM does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#12

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, Arkansas
330 Total Awards
$8,574 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,079 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 330 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $8,574 in tuition and fees if they attend UAPB full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,744. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,079 in loans while pursuing their degree.

UAPB does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Report

View Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 12 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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