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Attending an online college in Arkansas can provide students with many of benefits, including cheaper-than-average tuition rates, scholarship opportunities, and student support services to help them during college and beyond.
Whether you're interested in healthcare, food service, or education, there is an online college in Arkansas that can help you achieve your career goals. For eligible students, there are even opportunities to attend college for free.
Below, take a closer look at the best online colleges in Arkansas, the cost of college tuition, and the state's fastest-growing jobs.
Featured Online Bachelor's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
Cost of College in Arkansas
Tuition costs in Arkansas are cheaper than the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The cost of college in Arkansas varies depending on the type of institution. For the 2021-2022 school year, the average in-state tuition at public four-year universities was $8,622 in Arkansas, about $1,000 less than the national average, per NCES.
The out-of-state tuition cost for public universities was $21,981 in Arkansas. For private universities, the average tuition cost was $24,128.
While the base tuition in Arkansas is generally cheaper than the national average, you should also factor in the cost of room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $8,622 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $21,981 |
| Private Four-Year | $24,128 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $3,486 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $4,882 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to a dynamic job market that includes a range of opportunities in industries like healthcare, food service, and education.
If you're considering pursuing an online degree in Arkansas, aligning your studies with the state's fastest-growing jobs can be a strategic move.
Below, discover the 10 fast-growing jobs in the Natural State and what professionals in these roles earned on average in 2023.
| Job | Job Growth, 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 54% | $113,410 |
| Restaurant Cooks | 52% | $30,000 |
| Fundraisers | 48% | $60,150 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 44% | $75,290 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 43% | $26,840 |
| Operations Research Analysts | 39% | $75,020 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 39% | $84,060 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 37% | $62,620 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | 37% | $32,610 |
| Preschool Teachers | 36% | $35,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Arkansas
Yes, there are programs for free college education in Arkansas. TheA-State Promise Plus scholarship program at Arkansas State University offers free tuition to families with a household income of $70,000 or less. This last-dollar scholarship covers the remaining tuition after federal grants and the Arkansas Academic Challenge or Lottery Scholarship are applied.
The University of Central Arkansas has launched the UCA Commitment program, which aims to largely eliminate the financial barrier to a bachelor's degree for families earning less than $100,000 per year, covering tuition and fees with scholarships and work-study assignments for eligible students.