State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Arkansas
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, 69 Arkansas colleges ranked by average net price, what students actually paid after grant and scholarship aid, not the published sticker price.
- $4,385
- Cheapest net price
- $14,060
- Arkansas median
- 69
- Schools ranked
Data updated June 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas has the lowest average net price in Arkansas at $4,385/year, and the state's median net price is 18% below the $17,083 national median across 4,942 schools.
- $4,385
- cheapest ranked net price
- $14,060
- Arkansas median net price
- 33 public / 36 private
- schools in this ranking
- $12,761
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price is the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, not counting loans that must be repaid. A very low figure at a specialty or religious institution can reflect a narrow enrollment mix rather than typical affordability, check the sector label and enrollment before comparing.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Hendrix College, where in-state published tuition of $38,200 falls to an average net price of $24,149 after aid, a $14,051 gap. This is the widest sticker-to-net-price gap among ranked Arkansas schools, and a reminder that published tuition alone is a poor guide to what most admitted students actually pay.
Across all 69 ranked Arkansas schools, 33 are public institutions and 36 are private (nonprofit or for-profit). Sector is shown next to every school below because a low sticker-adjacent price at a small religious, seminary, or specialty school can reflect an unusual enrollment mix rather than broad affordability, check enrollment and sector before drawing conclusions from rank alone.
Average net price also blends every income bracket into one figure, so a family's own bracket can land well above or below the number shown here. Federal reporting requires an institution to have enough surveyed aid recipients in a bracket before that bracket is published, so a very small school can show only a partial income-bracket breakdown even when its overall average net price is fully reported. Use the school's own profile page for the full income-bracket table before treating a single average as a personal cost estimate.
Arkansas's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen, AR · Public | $4,385 88% of the leader · rank #1 | $3,452 | - | $30,249 | 1,387 |
| 2 | Ozarka College Melbourne, AR · Public | $4,543 87% of the leader · rank #2 | $3,718 | $9,818 | $28,145 | 1,013 |
| 3 | University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain Mena, AR · Public | $4,842 86% of the leader · rank #3 | $4,248 | $6,500 | $22,765 | 719 |
| 4 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena, AR · Public | $4,848 86% of the leader · rank #4 | $4,683 | - | $27,083 | 1,356 |
| 5 | Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR · Public | $5,095 86% of the leader · rank #5 | $3,433 | $9,500 | $31,263 | 1,544 |
| 6 | Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, AR · Public | $5,375 85% of the leader · rank #6 | $5,232 | - | $30,674 | 1,451 |
| 7 | Arkansas State University Mid-South West Memphis, AR · Public | $5,427 85% of the leader · rank #7 | $4,411 | - | $27,557 | 1,021 |
| 8 | Velvatex College of Beauty Culture Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $6,909 81% of the leader · rank #8 | $6,909 | - | $14,400 | 12 |
| 9 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR · Public | $7,196 80% of the leader · rank #9 | $5,722 | $9,506 | $35,242 | 7,839 |
| 10 | East Arkansas Community College Forrest City, AR · Public | $7,220 80% of the leader · rank #10 | $6,888 | $6,000 | $26,801 | 1,273 |
| 11 | South Arkansas College El Dorado, AR · Public | $7,486 79% of the leader · rank #11 | $6,690 | $11,153 | $30,240 | 1,190 |
| 12 | University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville Batesville, AR · Public | $8,044 77% of the leader · rank #12 | $7,668 | $10,250 | $32,636 | 1,118 |
| 13 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers Malvern, AR · Public | $8,070 77% of the leader · rank #13 | $8,070 | $10,250 | $33,365 | 2,028 |
| 14 | Arkansas State University-Newport Newport, AR · Public | $8,444 76% of the leader · rank #14 | $7,403 | $8,002 | $34,583 | 1,732 |
| 15 | University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Morrilton, AR · Public | $8,725 75% of the leader · rank #15 | $7,073 | $10,315 | $32,571 | 2,225 |
| 16 | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Mountain Home, AR · Public | $8,847 75% of the leader · rank #16 | $7,734 | $10,500 | $34,640 | 1,284 |
| 17 | Arkansas Beauty College Russellville, AR · Private for-profit | $8,985 75% of the leader · rank #17 | $8,508 | - | $20,636 | 56 |
| 18 | Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden, AR · Public | $9,018 75% of the leader · rank #18 | $8,848 | $6,000 | $31,841 | 939 |
| 19 | University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope, AR · Public | $9,270 74% of the leader · rank #19 | $8,725 | - | $30,007 | 1,288 |
| 20 | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology El Dorado, AR · Private for-profit | $9,634 73% of the leader · rank #20 | $8,910 | $9,833 | $17,198 | 34 |
| 21 | North Arkansas College Harrison, AR · Public | $10,180 71% of the leader · rank #21 | $10,059 | $9,000 | $31,671 | 1,930 |
| 22 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR · Public | $10,574 70% of the leader · rank #22 | $8,890 | $18,250 | $35,925 | 5,506 |
| 23 | Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit | $10,627 70% of the leader · rank #23 | $7,715 | $25,375 | $22,652 | 373 |
| 24 | Northern Technical College North Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $10,733 70% of the leader · rank #24 | $10,733 | - | - | 30 |
| 25 | The Salon Professional Academy Sherwood, AR · Private for-profit | $11,625 67% of the leader · rank #25 | $11,625 | $6,333 | $22,662 | 92 |
See all 69 ranked Arkansas schools →
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Arkansas State University-Beebe Beebe, AR · Public | $11,698 67% of the leader · rank #26 | $10,030 | $8,093 | $32,587 | 3,010 |
| 27 | GoodFellas Barber College Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $12,225 66% of the leader · rank #27 | $12,225 | $16,500 | - | 34 |
| 28 | Central Baptist College Conway, AR · Private nonprofit | $12,287 65% of the leader · rank #28 | $11,750 | $22,250 | $37,681 | 550 |
| 29 | Arkansas State University State University, AR · Public | $12,366 65% of the leader · rank #29 | $10,098 | $20,500 | $38,944 | 14,032 |
| 30 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR · Public | $12,653 64% of the leader · rank #30 | $12,302 | $24,202 | $31,161 | 2,100 |
| 31 | National Park College Hot Springs National Park, AR · Public | $12,720 64% of the leader · rank #31 | $12,368 | $10,500 | $28,337 | 2,308 |
| 32 | Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale, AR · Private for-profit | $12,728 64% of the leader · rank #32 | $13,510 | $6,365 | $18,556 | 244 |
| 33 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR · Public | $12,970 64% of the leader · rank #33 | $12,426 | $21,000 | $37,638 | 9,487 |
| 34 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR · Public | $14,027 61% of the leader · rank #34 | $13,187 | $18,750 | $37,008 | 5,127 |
| 35 | Shorter College North Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit | $14,060 60% of the leader · rank #35 | $13,844 | $29,500 | $15,710 | 290 |
| 36 | Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit | $14,224 60% of the leader · rank #36 | $13,393 | $24,736 | $25,254 | 866 |
| 37 | Academy of Salon and Spa Fort Smith, AR · Private for-profit | $14,252 60% of the leader · rank #37 | $14,852 | $4,833 | $17,132 | 81 |
| 38 | Paul Mitchell the School-Arkansas Fayetteville, AR · Private for-profit | $14,257 60% of the leader · rank #38 | $13,130 | $9,833 | $29,106 | 107 |
| 39 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR · Public | $14,287 60% of the leader · rank #39 | $13,626 | $19,971 | $31,332 | 2,739 |
| 40 | Hot Springs Beauty College Hot Springs, AR · Private for-profit | $14,294 60% of the leader · rank #40 | $14,050 | $9,700 | $16,969 | 92 |
| 41 | University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR · Public | $14,327 60% of the leader · rank #41 | $13,544 | $12,080 | $30,437 | 4,175 |
| 42 | Searcy Beauty College Searcy, AR · Private for-profit | $14,946 58% of the leader · rank #42 | $14,946 | $12,429 | - | 87 |
| 43 | Washington Barber College Inc Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $15,563 56% of the leader · rank #43 | $15,563 | $14,000 | $16,718 | 51 |
| 44 | Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR · Private nonprofit | $15,745 56% of the leader · rank #44 | $10,733 | $21,820 | $38,067 | 514 |
| 45 | New Tyler Barber College Inc North Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $15,898 55% of the leader · rank #45 | $15,898 | - | $16,629 | 58 |
| 46 | Northwest Technical Institute Springdale, AR · Public | $15,992 55% of the leader · rank #46 | $15,900 | - | $41,241 | 217 |
| 47 | Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, AR · Private nonprofit | $16,315 54% of the leader · rank #47 | $15,652 | $26,228 | $33,362 | 225 |
| 48 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR · Public | $16,511 54% of the leader · rank #48 | $14,656 | $20,346 | $36,670 | 9,790 |
| 49 | Champion Christian College Hot Springs, AR · Private nonprofit | $17,002 52% of the leader · rank #49 | $14,499 | - | - | 139 |
| 50 | Arthur's Beauty College Conway, AR · Private for-profit | $17,082 52% of the leader · rank #50 | $17,082 | $9,833 | $20,177 | 65 |
| 51 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR · Public | $17,248 52% of the leader · rank #51 | $15,195 | $22,000 | $40,040 | 8,158 |
| 52 | University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR · Private nonprofit | $17,360 51% of the leader · rank #52 | $14,664 | $20,875 | $37,651 | 763 |
| 53 | Designer Barber & Stylist School Fort Smith, AR · Private for-profit | $18,137 49% of the leader · rank #53 | $17,939 | - | $17,534 | 91 |
| 54 | Arthur's Beauty College Jacksonville, AR · Private for-profit | $18,200 49% of the leader · rank #54 | $18,200 | $9,833 | $20,177 | 47 |
| 55 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR · Public | $18,209 49% of the leader · rank #55 | $14,319 | $21,500 | $49,686 | 32,140 |
| 56 | Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock North Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $18,356 48% of the leader · rank #56 | $18,047 | $10,725 | $18,994 | 411 |
| 57 | Southeast Arkansas College Pine Bluff, AR · Public | $19,038 47% of the leader · rank #57 | $19,038 | $8,600 | $29,235 | 810 |
| 58 | Academy of Professional Cosmetology Rogers, AR · Private for-profit | $19,513 45% of the leader · rank #58 | $19,514 | $5,500 | $22,032 | 171 |
| 59 | Lyon College Batesville, AR · Private nonprofit | $19,616 45% of the leader · rank #59 | $16,084 | $21,500 | $37,629 | 584 |
| 60 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofit | $20,397 43% of the leader · rank #60 | $17,484 | $21,250 | $46,114 | 2,341 |
| 61 | Arkansas Technical School North Little Rock, AR · Private for-profit | $21,011 41% of the leader · rank #61 | $21,011 | $16,500 | $16,624 | 111 |
| 62 | Ecclesia College Springdale, AR · Private nonprofit | $22,075 38% of the leader · rank #62 | $20,801 | $13,019 | $32,147 | 138 |
| 63 | Harding University Searcy, AR · Private nonprofit | $22,130 38% of the leader · rank #63 | $15,418 | $26,500 | $43,555 | 4,608 |
| 64 | Arthur's Beauty College Jonesboro, AR · Private for-profit | $22,187 38% of the leader · rank #64 | $22,187 | $10,500 | $16,389 | 67 |
| 65 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR · Private nonprofit | $22,409 37% of the leader · rank #65 | $15,207 | $21,050 | $41,697 | 1,815 |
| 66 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR · Public | $23,405 34% of the leader · rank #66 | $23,386 | $19,500 | $35,194 | 2,136 |
| 67 | Hendrix College Conway, AR · Private nonprofit | $24,149 32% of the leader · rank #67 | $15,951 | $26,688 | $39,913 | 1,107 |
| 68 | Baptist Health College Little Rock Little Rock, AR · Private nonprofit | $25,454 28% of the leader · rank #68 | $23,827 | $10,000 | $53,393 | 512 |
| 69 | Arkansas Welding Academy Jacksonville, AR · Private for-profit | $35,590 4% of the leader · rank #69 | $35,652 | $5,500 | - | 74 |
What this means for you
Use Arkansas's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas reports the lowest average net price in Arkansas, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View Cossatot Community College
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Arkansas safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.