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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas

23 Schools Ranked
$38,833 Average Earnings
$20,727 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. This report analyzed 23 schools in Arkansas to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Arkansas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
$47,670 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Arkansas to be the best school for nursing students in Arkansas.

Degree recipients from UARK accumulate an average of $22,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332.After graduating from UARK, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,670 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Arkansas Report

#2

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
$49,585 Average Earnings
$24,606 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harding University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list.

Degree recipients from Harding accumulate an average of $24,606 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $401 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Harding graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,585 during the early year of their career.

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#3

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
$36,312 Average Earnings
$23,312 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Henderson State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Arkansas.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,312 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Henderson State University graduates make an average of $36,312 annually.

Read full report on Henderson State University

$32,182 Average Earnings
$15,164 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Arkansas State University - Newport helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Arkansas.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,164 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ASUN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,182 during the early year of their career.

Full Arkansas State University - Newport Report

#5

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas
$39,997 Average Earnings
$29,964 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Arkansas at Little Rock helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Arkansas.

On average, students take out $29,964 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UA Little Rock, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,997 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Arkansas at Little Rock

$42,182 Average Earnings
$24,258 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from A-State accumulate an average of $24,258 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $141.After graduating from A-State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,182 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Main Campus

#7

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
$37,734 Average Earnings
$23,394 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, University of Central Arkansas did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,394 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168.After graduating from UCA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,734 during the early years of their career.

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$31,453 Average Earnings
$19,183 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,183 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UACCM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,453 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton

#9

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
$40,836 Average Earnings
$16,393 Avg Student Debt

NorthWest Arkansas Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $16,393 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from NWACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,836 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on NorthWest Arkansas Community College

$52,762 Average Earnings
$30,774 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University Three Rivers ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list.

On average, students take out $30,774 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, ASU Three Rivers graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,762 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Arkansas State University Three Rivers

#11

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
$35,775 Average Earnings
$23,314 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Tech University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list.

Degree recipients from ATU accumulate an average of $23,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ATU graduates make an average of $35,775 annually.

Read full report on Arkansas Tech University

#12

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Fort Smith, Arkansas
$34,344 Average Earnings
$20,349 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,349 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UAFS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,344 during the early year of their career.

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$33,405 Average Earnings
$11,310 Avg Student Debt

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,310 in student loans.After graduating from Phillips County Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,405 during the early years of their career.

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$53,794 Average Earnings
$12,320 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,320 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UACCB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,794 during the early year of their career.

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#15

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas
$36,255 Average Earnings
$17,080 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, National Park College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $17,080 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, National Park College graduates make an average of $36,255 annually.

Full National Park College Report

#16

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, Arkansas
$33,301 Average Earnings
$16,463 Avg Student Debt

Black River Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking.

On average, students take out $16,463 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Black River Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,301 during the early years of their career.

Full Black River Technical College Report

$19,613 Average Earnings
$7,469 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Rich Mountain ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list.

On average, students take out $7,469 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UA Rich Mountain graduates make an average of $19,613 annually.

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#18

South Arkansas Community College

El Dorado, Arkansas
$27,687 Average Earnings
$18,041 Avg Student Debt

South Arkansas Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $18,041 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SouthArk graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,687 during the early year of their career.

Full South Arkansas Community College Report

#19

Arkansas State University - Mountain Home

Mountain Home, Arkansas
$31,319 Average Earnings
$20,703 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Mountain Home did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list.

Degree recipients from ASUMH accumulate an average of $20,703 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ASUMH graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,319 during the early year of their career.

Full Arkansas State University - Mountain Home Report

#20

North Arkansas College

Harrison, Arkansas
$32,765 Average Earnings
$15,421 Avg Student Debt

North Arkansas College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,421 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Northark graduates make an average of $32,765 annually.

Read full report on North Arkansas College

#21

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, Arkansas
$34,999 Average Earnings
$14,140 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Northeastern College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list.

On average, students take out $14,140 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Arkansas Northeastern College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,999 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Arkansas Northeastern College

#22

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, Arkansas
$34,171 Average Earnings
$17,078 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Monticello came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,078 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UAM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,171 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Arkansas at Monticello Report

$26,859 Average Earnings
$10,422 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Beebe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, students take out $10,422 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ASU-Beebe, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $26,859 during the early years of their career.

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View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 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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