2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Arkansas
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Arkansas? This list ranks 80 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search reviewed 23 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Arkansas
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Arkansas State University Newport earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Arkansas. Based in Newport, AR, Arkansas State University Newport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,925. Median earnings reach $41,524 ten years out. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Arkansas State University Newport
You'll get strong value at University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Batesville, AR, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $9,265. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,706 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #3 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Arkansas. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a public school based in Morrilton, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton Nursing students take on a median of $13,758 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,924 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,758 median debt. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton
College Of The Ouachitas came in at #4 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Arkansas. Based in Malvern, AR, College Of The Ouachitas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. College Of The Ouachitas alumni report median earnings of $37,374 a decade after entry. See the full College Of The Ouachitas profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Arkansas Community College earned it the #5 place in Arkansas. Set in El Dorado, AR, South Arkansas Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,386. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,521. That is a strong return on a $15,386 median debt. Get the full South Arkansas Community College report
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #6 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Set in Blytheville, AR, Arkansas Northeastern College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. The median Nursing program debt is $7,944. Median earnings reach $33,169 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt. See the full Arkansas Northeastern College profile
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Set in Mountain Home, AR, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Arkansas State University Mountain Home Nursing students take on a median of $18,097 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,238 ten years after entry. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Arkansas State University Mountain Home profile
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Helena, AR. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $29,552 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Bentonville, AR, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Northwest Arkansas Community College Nursing students take on a median of $12,479 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Northwest Arkansas Community College
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Mena, AR, Rich Mountain Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Median earnings reach $30,037 ten years out. Read more about Rich Mountain Community College
Black River Technical College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pocahontas, AR, Black River Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $12,420. Black River Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,818 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Black River Technical College profile
North Arkansas College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Harrison, AR, North Arkansas College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. North Arkansas College alumni report median earnings of $34,653 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full North Arkansas College report
Arkansas State University Beebe offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Beebe, AR, Arkansas State University Beebe is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. The median Nursing program debt is $9,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,603. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Arkansas State University Beebe
Henderson State University placed #14 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Based in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,234. Henderson State University alumni report median earnings of $43,459 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,234 median debt. See the full Henderson State University profile
National Park Community College placed #15 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. National Park Community College is a public school based in Hot Springs, AR. Students from in state pay about $5,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,162 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $32,444 ten years out. Set against $14,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full National Park Community College profile
University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,191 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Jonesboro, AR, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Arkansas State University Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $23,399 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Arkansas State University Main Campus report
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public school based in Fort Smith, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $20,333. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith alumni report median earnings of $41,102 a decade after entry. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
University Of Central Arkansas placed #19 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Set in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete their Nursing program here. University Of Central Arkansas alumni report median earnings of $45,938 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Central Arkansas
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public school based in Little Rock, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. The median Nursing program debt is $27,093. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,265. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock has an acceptance rate of 59%. More on University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Arkansas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $41,766 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on Arkansas Tech University
Harding University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Searcy, AR. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Harding University alumni report median earnings of $52,876 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants. Get the full Harding University report
University Of Arkansas At Monticello offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Monticello, AR, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,611. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,902. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt. See the full University Of Arkansas At Monticello profile
Northwest Technical Institute ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Northwest Technical Institute profile
Arkansas State University System Office placed #25 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Read more about Arkansas State University System Office
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Arkansas
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Academy Of Salon And Spa offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full Academy Of Salon And Spa profile
Southern Arkansas University Tech placed #27 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. See the full Southern Arkansas University Tech profile
Baptist Health College Little Rock ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Baptist Health College Little Rock
Arkansas Beauty College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Arkansas Beauty College
Arkansas Baptist College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Arkansas Baptist College
Arkansas College Of Barbering And Hair Design placed #31 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Arkansas College Of Barbering And Hair Design
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
Philander Smith College placed #33 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Read more about Philander Smith College
Arkansas Beauty School Little Rock came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Arkansas Beauty School Little Rock
Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith
Ecclesia College
Ecclesia College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ecclesia College profile
Shorter College
Shorter College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Get the full Shorter College report
The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock
Hendrix College
Hendrix College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Hendrix College
East Arkansas Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on East Arkansas Community College
Washington Barber College Inc offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Washington Barber College Inc profile
Hot Springs Beauty College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full Hot Springs Beauty College profile
Arthurs Beauty College Jonesboro placed #43 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Read more about Arthurs Beauty College Jonesboro
Northern Technical College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Northern Technical College profile
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Get the full University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences report
Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway placed #46 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. Get the full Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway report
University Of The Ozarks placed #47 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arkansas. See the full University Of The Ozarks profile
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #48 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
New Tyler Barber College Inc ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on New Tyler Barber College Inc
Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 23 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 80 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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