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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas

23 Schools Ranked
$39,388 Average Earnings
$24,530 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
7,274 Total Awards
$47,670 Average Earnings
$26,068 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Arkansas to be the best school for nursing students in Arkansas. UARK is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,274 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,068 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $409. Once they receive their degree, UARK graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,670 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
1,211 Total Awards
$49,585 Average Earnings
$47,181 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Harding University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,211 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Harding accumulate an average of $47,181 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 $386 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Harding graduates make an average of $49,585 annually.

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#3

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas
946 Total Awards
$36,312 Average Earnings
$28,268 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Henderson State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 946 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,268 in student loans.After graduating from Henderson State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,312 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Henderson State University

1,296 Total Awards
$32,182 Average Earnings
$9,484 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arkansas State University - Newport. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 1,296 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from ASUN accumulate an average of $9,484 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ASUN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,182 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Newport

#5

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas
2,279 Total Awards
$39,997 Average Earnings
$27,043 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. UA Little Rock is a public institution located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,279 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,043 in student loans.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.

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5,133 Total Awards
$42,182 Average Earnings
$26,561 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and it awarded 5,133 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,561 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $210 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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.

Full Arkansas State University - Main Campus Report

#7

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas
2,508 Total Awards
$37,734 Average Earnings
$23,861 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Arkansas ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. Conway, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,508 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,861 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $188 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,734 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Central Arkansas Report

1,058 Total Awards
$31,453 Average Earnings
$12,905 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UACCM is a small public school situated in Morrilton, Arkansas. It awarded 1,058 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $12,905 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UACCM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,453 during the early years of their career.

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#9

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
2,045 Total Awards
$40,836 Average Earnings
$13,631 Avg Student Debt

NorthWest Arkansas Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. NWACC is located in Bentonville, Arkansas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,045 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,631 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NWACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,836 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on NorthWest Arkansas Community College

537 Total Awards
$52,762 Average Earnings
$15,455 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University Three Rivers came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. ASU Three Rivers is a public institution located in Malvern, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 537 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from ASU Three Rivers accumulate an average of $15,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ASU Three Rivers graduates make an average of $52,762 annually.

Full Arkansas State University Three Rivers Report

#11

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
3,923 Total Awards
$35,775 Average Earnings
$24,689 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas Tech University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Russellville, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,923 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from ATU accumulate an average of $24,689 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
1,408 Total Awards
$34,344 Average Earnings
$21,696 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a medium-sized public school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas that handed out 1,408 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $21,696 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UAFS graduates make an average of $34,344 annually.

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356 Total Awards
$33,405 Average Earnings

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. This small public school is located in Helena, Arkansas, and it awarded 356 degrees in 2021-2022.

Once they receive their degree, Phillips County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,405 during the early year of their career.

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770 Total Awards
$53,794 Average Earnings
$9,152 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. Batesville, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 770 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,152 in student loans.After graduating from UACCB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,794 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville

#15

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas
792 Total Awards
$36,255 Average Earnings
$14,758 Avg Student Debt

National Park College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. This small public school is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and it awarded 792 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from National Park College accumulate an average of $14,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, National Park College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,255 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on National Park College

#16

Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, Arkansas
1,859 Total Awards
$33,301 Average Earnings
$12,517 Avg Student Debt

Black River Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. Located in Pocahontas, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 1,859 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,517 in student loans.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.

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462 Total Awards
$19,613 Average Earnings

University of Arkansas Rich Mountain landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UA Rich Mountain is a very small public school situated in Mena, Arkansas. It awarded 462 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, UA Rich Mountain graduates make an average of $19,613 annually.

Full University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Report

#18

South Arkansas Community College

El Dorado, Arkansas
704 Total Awards
$27,687 Average Earnings
$13,079 Avg Student Debt

South Arkansas Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. This small public school is located in El Dorado, Arkansas, and it awarded 704 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,079 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SouthArk graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,687 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on South Arkansas Community College

#19

Arkansas State University - Mountain Home

Mountain Home, Arkansas
830 Total Awards
$31,319 Average Earnings
$14,277 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Arkansas State University - Mountain Home did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. ASUMH is a small public school situated in Mountain Home, Arkansas. It awarded 830 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $14,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ASUMH graduates make an average of $31,319 annually.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Mountain Home

#20

North Arkansas College

Harrison, Arkansas
623 Total Awards
$32,765 Average Earnings
$9,813 Avg Student Debt

North Arkansas College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas list. This small public school is located in Harrison, Arkansas, and it awarded 623 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,813 in student loans.After graduating from Northark, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,765 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on North Arkansas College

#21

Arkansas Northeastern College

Blytheville, Arkansas
539 Total Awards
$34,999 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #21, Arkansas Northeastern College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school situated in Blytheville, Arkansas. It awarded 539 degrees in 2021-2022.

After graduating from Arkansas Northeastern College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,999 during the early years of their career.

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#22

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, Arkansas
1,158 Total Awards
$34,171 Average Earnings
$14,539 Avg Student Debt

University of Arkansas at Monticello landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Monticello, Arkansas, the small public school awarded 1,158 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UAM accumulate an average of $14,539 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UAM graduates make an average of $34,171 annually.

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966 Total Awards
$26,859 Average Earnings
$8,805 Avg Student Debt

Arkansas State University - Beebe came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas ranking. ASU-Beebe is located in Beebe, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 966 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from ASU-Beebe accumulate an average of $8,805 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ASU-Beebe graduates make an average of $26,859 annually.

Read full report on Arkansas State University - Beebe

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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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