The Cheapest Colleges in Arkansas by Out of State Total Cost for 2023
If you're looking for an affordable university in Arkansas but aren't a state resident, these are the least expensive out of state colleges to consider. Additionally, if you are a foreign citizen and cannot qualify for in-state tuition, these are the cheapest universities in Arkansas for international students.
Affordable doesn't simply mean finding a school with a low published out of state total cost. It's important to research the typical financial aid package offered by a school, the average net price actually paid and most importantly the quality of education you receive for your tuition dollar. Sometimes a school which appears cheap based on list price can be a poor relative value if it can't award competitive financial aid or doesn't offer a quality education. The list below is a ranking on published out of state total cost with no consideration of actual average price paid or academic quality of the school. Please see the CollegeCalc best value colleges in Arkansas list for a ranking which considers school quality and average net price.
Total cost may factor in an estimated off-campus living expense if a school doens't provide housing. This estimate may vary widely by college. To view a rank by academic fees alone please see our Arkansas tuition ranking.
The most affordable four year colleges in Arkansas are listed by one year's out of state total cost list price for the 2021/2022 school year. Total cost includes tuition, room and board or estimated off campus living expenses, books and supplies and other fees.
What is the cheapest college in Arkansas? Leading the colleges list is University of Phoenix Northwest Arkansas Campus in Rogers with an out of state total cost of $16,443.
Academic Rating is a CollegeCalc rating of a college's overall academics and effectiveness. The score ranges from zero to one hundred, with fifty being the median for all eligible colleges. Dollar value is a measure of a school's academic rating compared with the average price paid by students. Colleges which are ranked "n/a" didn't report sufficient data to formulate a score. Learn more about our rating methodology.
All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's 2021/2022 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2021/2022 academic year.
| College | Out of State Total Cost | Rating | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 University of Phoenix Northwest Arkansas CampusRogers, Private For Profit |
$16,443 | NA | NA |
#2 University of Phoenix Little Rock CampusLittle Rock, Private For Profit |
$16,470 | NA | NA |
#3 Arkansas Baptist CollegeLittle Rock, Private Not For Profit |
$18,586 | NA | NA |
#4 Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia, Public Not For Profit |
$21,924 | 31 | 19 |
#5 University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, Public Not For Profit |
$22,227 | NA | NA |
#6 Philander Smith CollegeLittle Rock, Private Not For Profit |
$22,464 | NA | NA |
#7 Ecclesia CollegeSpringdale, Private Not For Profit |
$22,490 | NA | NA |
#8 Crowley's Ridge CollegeParagould, Private Not For Profit |
$22,543 | NA | NA |
#9 Arkansas State University Main CampusJonesboro, Public Not For Profit |
$23,588 | 41 | 61 |
#10 Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, Public Not For Profit |
$23,825 | 37 | 34 |
#11 Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, Public Not For Profit |
$23,872 | NA | NA |
#12 University of Arkansas Fort SmithFort Smith, Public Not For Profit |
$24,040 | NA | NA |
#13 University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, Public Not For Profit |
$25,012 | 23 | 21 |
#14 University of Central ArkansasConway, Public Not For Profit |
$25,529 | 39 | 21 |
#15 Central Baptist CollegeConway, Private Not For Profit |
$26,388 | 33 | 18 |
#16 Williams Baptist CollegeWalnut Ridge, Private Not For Profit |
$28,370 | 30 | 15 |
#17 University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, Public Not For Profit |
$29,369 | 44 | 48 |
#18 Harding UniversitySearcy, Private Not For Profit |
$31,148 | 54 | 50 |
#19 University of the OzarksClarksville, Private Not For Profit |
$33,950 | 39 | 51 |
#20 John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, Private Not For Profit |
$39,278 | 66 | 83 |