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Best Online Colleges in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas has over 40 colleges and universities, many of which offer online education that may appeal to you. To help you determine the online college that suits your needs, we have published a carefully curated list of the best online colleges in Arkansas.

A lot of online colleges in Arkansas aim to prepare students for employment opportunities within Arkansas state. High tuition costs can sometimes hinder aspiring students from low-income households from attaining the height of higher education. To remedy this, the state of Arkansas developed the Scholarship Application Management Systems. This program allows students to apply for financial aid and scholarships; about 12 colleges in Arkansas operate this system.

Enrolling in an online degree program helps students save on transport and on-campus fees. According to the Education Data Initiative, online degrees in generally cost $10,776 less than in-person degrees. This is proof that enrolling in an online program in Arkansas is cheaper and provides a quicker and more convenient path to a bachelor’s degree than the on-campus option.

Explore our list of the best online colleges in Arkansas below.

Best Online Colleges in Arkansas

1. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is based in Jonesboro, the college enrolls 22,000 students. It is the second-largest institution of higher learning in Arkansas State. The school offers over 35 online degree programs and certificate options through Blackboard Learn.

Undergraduate students can choose from majors such as criminology, nursing (RN to BSN), and sociology. They can also enroll in an online bachelor of digital innovation program with concentration tracks in either graphic communication or strategic communication.

Graduate program offerings cover fields such as media management and sports administration. Arkansas State University also delivers master’s programs in education that holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The master’s in education program boasts options in school counseling, curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership. Experienced professionals can pursue accelerated online education specialist credentials, and choose from six advanced tracks.

Prospective students must submit a formal application and academic transcripts. Online students are charged affordable tuition rates based on program and not residency status. Arkansas State University provides supports remote learners with personalized advising and free e-tutoring services.

2. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is the largest postsecondary institution in Arkansas state. This college serves approximately 28,000 students, many of whom pursue their credentials entirely online through Blackboard-powered asynchronous classes.

Students enrolled in the approved remote education programs benefit from in-state tuition. The university offers students a range of funding opportunities, including the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship put in place specifically for online students.

The school’s program offerings feature bachelor’s degrees in supply chain management, human resources and workforce development education, and accounting. Students can design their degree plans to suit their specific career goals by enrolling in the interdisciplinary studies track.

Additionally, Unversity Arkansas also offers online nursing degrees, with tracks for working LPNs and RNs.

Degree options available for online graduate students include agricultural and food law, operations management, and electrical engineering. Students may enroll in an innovative master’s program for educational equity, this helps them develop the skills to support underserved school districts.

The University of Arkansas offers four remote doctoral programs, including credentials for lifelong learning that prepare learners for careers as educational researchers and corporate trainers.

3. Harding University

Harding University serves approximately 5,900 students annually. It is the largest private college/university in Arkansas. The school offers comprehensive academic programming on campus through its Searcy location and online through flexible classes through the Canvas platform.

In addition to individual online classes, Harding University offers fully online bachelor’s programs in leadership marketing and leadership management. The leadership management track helps students to build specialized marketing skills centered on consumer behavior and promotional strategies and also build foundational business knowledge.

A bachelor’s degree in Bible and ministry is also available for distance learners. Harding offers a fully online master of business administration that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. MBA candidates can earn their credentials in as little as a year and six months, or they can take up to seven years to complete the program.

Applicants must submit an online form, high school transcripts, and ACT, CLT, or SAT scores. Requirements for graduate enrollment differ by program but generally include a minimum 3.0 GPA.

4. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas was established in 1927 as a junior college.  Today, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock delivers comprehensive academic programming in many fields. Program offerings include affordable online degrees and certificates delivered through Blackboard.

Students can combine asynchronous online classes with traditional on-campus courses to create a hybrid learning experience. They can also enroll in fully online bachelor’s programs for criminal justice, professional and technical writing, and applied communication.

The University of Arkansas – Little Rock also provides a nursing completion track for active RNs. Additionally, the university offers a remote bachelor of business administration degree that allow students to pick from concentration tracks such as management information systems, and accounting, human resource management.

Online programs available for graduate students cover fields like rural and urban school leadership, social work, and information quality. Doctorate students can earn a Ph.D. in computer and information sciences. It is a 75-hour program that emphasizes multidisciplinary research centered on information quality assurance and dissemination systems.

Remote students also benefit from reduced in-state tuition prices based on the program. Remote students also have access to financial aid, including awards such as the Bernard Osher Foundation Scholarship for nontraditional students pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

5. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas serves 11,500 students each year. Students can earn fully online degrees through asynchronous coursework offered through Blackboard. Undergraduate program offering options include general business, addiction studies, and nursing (RN to BSN).

Online students can earn a bachelor’s degree in insurance and risk management. The program is interdisciplinary and features a total of 120 credits, this enables students to focus their studies on areas such as property and liability insurance, employee benefits, and personal financial planning.

The University of Central Arkansas online delivers master’s programs in geographic information systems and health promotion. Experienced Registered Nurses can advance their careers by obtaining graduate credentials in clinical nurse leader and nurse educator programs with a clinical specialty track.

The university also offers an online executive master of arts in sport management that operates accelerated eight-week classes, this allows students to earn their degree in some months shy of 2 years.

Criteria for admissions differ by program, but undergraduate candidates are expected to meet a minimum 2.0 GPA requirement. Graduate applicants are usually required to have at least a 3.0 GPA.  Remote learners enjoy affordable, flat-rate tuition and distinct scholarship opportunities.

6. John Brown University

John Brown University is located in Siloam Springs, the college offers quality on-campus academic programs and online degree opportunities. The college also offers distance education programs through Blackboard Learn.

John Brown University delivers online undergraduate programs which are degree completion tracks that require applicants to transfer at least 45 credits earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA. All distance learners benefit from the same affordable tuition rate regardless of residency. JBU facilitates tuition discounts through community partnerships.

Online bachelor’s degree offerings include psychology and organizational leadership. Students can also earn a liberal arts degree while choosing concentration tracks in either communications or politics and ethics. The communication track covers topics such as political communication and marketing principle. This track prepares graduates to work as freelance writers and digital journalists.

Additionally, John Brown University offers a remote bachelor of business administration program with a total of 120 credits. Bachelor of business administration students develop the communication skills and technical knowledge to create data-centered organization strategies for a globalized economy. Graduates may go on pursue entry-level occupations or attend graduate business schools.

7. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University educated roughly 10,000 students through the main campus in Russellville and a satellite location in Ozark. The institution also offers flexible online academic programming through Blackboard Learn.

Students may earn a two-year degree in general studies, this program enables them complete core requirements before transferring into baccalaureate completion programs. Arkansas Tech University delivers five online bachelor’s degrees, including an RN-to-BSN track. ATC also offers remote associate programs for law enforcement and logistics management.

The graduate catalog contains remote master’s degrees in health informatics, business administration, and homeland security. Learners can also earn a master of science in college student personnel. Spanning two years, this unique program offers the mentorship and field experience candidates need to work as student affairs generalists.

First-year students are eligible for unconditional admission if they have a minimum 2.0 GPA and earn either 19 on the ACT or 990 on the SAT. Graduate candidates are required to have at least a 2.5 GPA.

The school offers financial aid opportunities including major-based awards for incoming freshmen and tuition waivers for graduate students who reside outside of Arkansas.

8. Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University is named after the river that runs down its eastern campus boundary.  Ouachita Baptist University is a private liberal arts college that also caters to distance learners through the Moodle e-learning platform.

Ouachita’s online courses utilize an accelerated eight-week format, allowing students to maintain a full-time job while obtaining their degree in less time than in a traditional program. The college university offers funding opportunities such as the Pryor Scholarship for Arkansas residents and the Abbott and Fenner Award for out-of-state students in addition to one low tuition price.

Ouachita Baptist University delivers online associate and bachelor’s degrees in Christian studies. The Christian Studies program features core classes like advanced Christian ministry biblical preaching, and Christian ethics. Students are taught to develop communication and program planning skills to support their churches as administrators and spiritual leaders.

Remote students can also enroll in a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies program. This completion track allows students to design their own degree plan. Students can alternatively choose from designated emphasis tracks such as kinesiology, professional writing, social sciences, and business administration.

9. Ecclesia College

Ecclesia College is located in Springdale and delivers affordable online academics through Canvas. Ecclesia College offers an online associate program in general studies for students interested in transfer opportunities.

Bachelor’s candidates can choose from majors in biblical studies and Christian leadership. They can also enroll in a remote leadership program that delves into ethical decision-making practices for the workplace.

Additional bachelor’s programs include business administration with concentration tracks in management and marketing. EC also offers an online bachelor of psychology and counseling. Students enrolled in this program can take courses like human sexuality, urban social issues, and counseling theory. These students can round out their studies by completing a counseling practicum and senior research project.

Prospective students are required to submit an online application, all school transcripts, and ACT, SAT, or CLT scores. Ecclesia College offers an affordable tuition price regardless of residency status. All students can apply for financial support, including work-learning awards and merit scholarships based on GPA.

10. Williams Baptist College

Williams Baptist College was established as a two-year school in 1941. Today, Williams Baptist University offers comprehensive academics through its main campus in Walnut Ridge and online through asynchronous classes powered by Moodle.

Undergraduate students can enroll in a remote bachelor of science in criminal justice program. that features a total of 120 credits, core coursework explores police administration, comparative justice, and principles of corrections. Students are taught to also develop emergency management skills, this enables them to pursue homeland security careers.

WBU delivers an online master of science in education for graduate learners. This program features eight-week classes, that allow students to maintain full-time work obligations or accelerate degree completion. Students can create strategies to support diverse and equitable learning communities.

Williams Baptist College considers applicants who possess a minimum 2.6 GPA. Students that score at least 20 on the ACT or 1030 on the SAT are also considered for admission.

The university offers an array of financial aid, including performing arts scholarships and transfer awards based on GPA.

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