2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Arkansas
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Arkansas? We have ranked 80 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 11 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 Teaching Degree Schools in Arkansas
Explore the best-value schools below:
Arkansas State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Teaching degree schools in Arkansas. Based in Jonesboro, AR, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,399. Arkansas State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $42,617 a decade after entry. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Arkansas State University Main Campus report
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #2 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Arkansas. This public school is set in Fort Smith, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete their Teaching program here. 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
You'll get strong value at Henderson State University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,459. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Henderson State University
You'll get strong value at University Of Central Arkansas, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,920. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,938 ten years after entry. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Central Arkansas
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arkansas one of the best values in Arkansas. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants. Read more about University Of Arkansas
Arkansas Tech University landed the #6 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Set in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Arkansas Tech University Teaching students take on a median of $23,257 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,766 ten years after entry. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. Get the full Arkansas Tech University report
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #7 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $27,093. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Based in Magnolia, AR, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. The median Teaching program debt is $20,385. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $42,386 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,385 median debt. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. More on Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #9 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. This public school is set in Monticello, AR. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. University Of Arkansas At Monticello Teaching students take on a median of $15,611 in debt. Median earnings reach $36,902 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Harding University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Searcy, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,962. Harding University Teaching students take on a median of $26,715 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,876. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants. See the full Harding University profile
John Brown University landed the #11 spot for value in Arkansas this year. John Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Siloam Springs, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. John Brown University Teaching students take on a median of $25,216 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants. Read more about John Brown University
New Tyler Barber College Inc landed the #12 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read the full report on New Tyler Barber College Inc
Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northwest Arkansas Community College
University Of Arkansas System Office placed #14 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. See the full University Of Arkansas System Office profile
Champion Christian College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. See the full Champion Christian College profile
Arkansas Welding Academy came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Arkansas Welding Academy
New Beginnings Beauty Academy ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about New Beginnings Beauty Academy
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #18 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Get the full Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas report
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville
North Arkansas College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. See the full North Arkansas College profile
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences landed the #21 spot for value in Arkansas this year. See the full University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences profile
Black River Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Black River Technical College
College Of The Ouachitas offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on College Of The Ouachitas
The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock report
Hot Springs Beauty College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Hot Springs Beauty College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Arkansas
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Ouachita Baptist University
River Valley School Of Massage offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full River Valley School Of Massage report
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. See the full University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff profile
Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas profile
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
Searcy Beauty College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Searcy Beauty College
Williams Baptist College placed #32 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. Read more about Williams Baptist College
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #33 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about Arkansas State University Newport
Lyon College
Lyon College placed #34 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Lyon College
Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith profile
Career Academy Of Hair Design ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Career Academy Of Hair Design
Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville profile
Rich Mountain Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Rich Mountain Community College report
Northern Technical College landed the #39 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about Northern Technical College
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #40 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read the full report on Arkansas Northeastern College
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southern Arkansas University Tech report
Central Baptist College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Central Baptist College
Professional Cosmetology Education Center offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Professional Cosmetology Education Center
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #44 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. See the full Arkansas State University Beebe profile
Goodfellas Barber College placed #45 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. More on Goodfellas Barber College
East Arkansas Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on East Arkansas Community College
National Park Community College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on National Park Community College
Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway landed the #48 spot for value in Arkansas this year. More on Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway
Arkansas State University System Office placed #49 among the best-value Teaching schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Arkansas State University System Office
Baptist Health College Little Rock ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Baptist Health College Little Rock
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching 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 · 11 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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