Universities in Arkansas
Arkansas has 76 postsecondary institutions reporting to the U.S. Department of Education: 35 public, 19 private nonprofit, 22 for-profit, together enrolling about 114,486 undergraduates (2024-25 data). Each links to a full financial-health and student-outcomes profile. 4 are historically Black colleges or universities.
| # | Institution | Sector | Undergrads |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of ArkansasFayetteville · R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production | Public | 28,677 |
| 2 | Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro · R2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production | Public | 9,110 |
| 3 | University of Central ArkansasConway · Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium | Public | 7,762 |
| 4 | Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville · Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Master's Large/Medium | Public | 5,388 |
| 5 | NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville · Mixed Associate Medium | Public | 4,953 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock · R2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production | Public | 4,949 |
| 7 | University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock · Mixed Associate Medium | Public | 4,118 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Medium | Public | 4,091 |
| 9 | Harding UniversitySearcy · Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium | Private | 3,382 |
| 10 | University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock · Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Master's Large/Medium | Public | 2,833 |
| 11 | Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia · Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Master's Large/Medium | Public | 2,708 |
| 12 | Arkansas State University-BeebeBeebe · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 1,986 |
| 13 | University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello · Mixed Associate/Baccalaureate | Public | 1,933 |
| 14 | University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff · Mixed Baccalaureate | Public | 1,807 |
| 15 | National Park CollegeHot Springs · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 1,789 |
| 16 | Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 1,602 |
| 17 | University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock · R2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production | Public | 1,571 |
| 18 | John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs · Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Master's Small | Private | 1,471 |
| 19 | Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Public | 1,456 |
| 20 | University of Arkansas Community College-MorriltonMorrilton · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 1,447 |
| 21 | Arkansas State University-NewportNewport · Professions-focused Associate Large/Medium | Public | 1,236 |
| 22 | North Arkansas CollegeHarrison · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 1,202 |
| 23 | Hendrix CollegeConway · Special Focus: Arts and Sciences | Private | 1,100 |
| 24 | Arkansas State University-Mountain HomeMountain Home · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 925 |
| 25 | Black River Technical CollegePocahontas · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 903 |
| 26 | South Arkansas CollegeEl Dorado · Special Focus: Other Health Professions | Public | 862 |
| 27 | Southeast Arkansas CollegePine Bluff · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 851 |
| 28 | Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 772 |
| 29 | University of the OzarksClarksville · Special Focus: Arts and Sciences | Private | 767 |
| 30 | Arkansas Northeastern CollegeBlytheville · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 756 |
| 31 | Philander Smith UniversityLittle Rock · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 751 |
| 32 | University of Arkansas Community College-BatesvilleBatesville · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 751 |
| 33 | Strayer University-ArkansasLittle Rock · Special Focus: Business | Private for-profit | 695 |
| 34 | Southern Arkansas University TechCamden · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 672 |
| 35 | Lyon CollegeBatesville · Special Focus: Arts and Sciences | Private | 648 |
| 36 | Phillips Community College of the University of ArkansasHelena · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 614 |
| 37 | University of Arkansas Hope-TexarkanaHope · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 583 |
| 38 | Ozarka CollegeMelbourne · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 575 |
| 39 | Baptist Health College Little RockLittle Rock · Special Focus: Nursing | Private | 569 |
| 40 | University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community CollegeForrest City · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 554 |
| 41 | Arkansas State University Three RiversMalvern · Special Focus: Nursing | Public | 550 |
| 42 | University of Arkansas Community College Rich MountainMena · Mixed Associate Small | Public | 503 |
| 43 | Arkansas State University Mid-SouthWest Memphis · Professions-focused Associate Small | Public | 502 |
| 44 | Central Baptist CollegeConway · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 484 |
| 45 | Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge · Special Focus: Arts and Sciences | Private | 478 |
| 46 | Paul Mitchell the School-Little RockNorth Little Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 360 |
| 47 | Arkansas Baptist CollegeLittle Rock · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 342 |
| 48 | Shorter CollegeN Little Rock · Mixed Associate Small | Private | 287 |
| 49 | Career Academy of Hair DesignSpringdale · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 245 |
| 50 | Northwest Technical InstituteSpringdale · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Public | 206 |
| 51 | Crowley's Ridge CollegeParagould · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 165 |
| 52 | Champion Christian CollegeHot Springs · Special Focus: Arts and Sciences | Private | 144 |
| 53 | Arkansas Technical SchoolNorth Little Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 123 |
| 54 | Academy of Professional CosmetologyRogers · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 115 |
| 55 | Ecclesia CollegeSpringdale · Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small | Private | 108 |
| 56 | The Salon Professional AcademySherwood · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 106 |
| 57 | Paul Mitchell the School-ArkansasFayetteville · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 99 |
| 58 | Designer Barber & Stylist SchoolFort Smith · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 95 |
| 59 | Jefferson Regional School of NursingPine Bluff · Special Focus: Nursing | Private | 92 |
| 60 | Hot Springs Beauty CollegeHot Springs · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 86 |
| 61 | Arkansas Welding AcademyJacksonville · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 73 |
| 62 | Arthur's Beauty CollegeJonesboro · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 69 |
| 63 | Arthur's Beauty CollegeConway · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 66 |
| 64 | Arkansas Beauty CollegeRussellville · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 61 |
| 65 | Searcy Beauty CollegeSearcy · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 54 |
| 66 | Academy of Salon and SpaFort Smith · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 52 |
| 67 | Washington Barber College IncLittle Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 43 |
| 68 | University of Aesthetics & CosmetologyEl Dorado · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 42 |
| 69 | New Tyler Barber College IncNorth Little Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 39 |
| 70 | GoodFellas Barber CollegeLittle Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 32 |
| 71 | Arthur's Beauty CollegeJacksonville · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 29 |
| 72 | Northern Technical CollegePine Bluff · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 8 |
| 73 | Velvatex College of Beauty CultureLittle Rock · Less-than-two-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private for-profit | 8 |
| 74 | Jackson Theological SeminaryNorth Little Rock · Special Focus: Theological Studies | Private | 1 |
| 75 | Arkansas Colleges of Health EducationFort Smith · Special Focus: Medical Schools and Centers | Private | – |
| 76 | Lyon College-School of Dental MedicineLittle Rock · Four-year institution (not classified by Carnegie) | Private | – |
This is a directory, not a ranking, listed by undergraduate enrollment. Counts and figures come from the most recent College Scorecard & IPEDS release (2024-25), which lags the current academic year by 2–3 years. Open each institution’s profile for financial health, outcomes and peer benchmarks.
Filter Arkansas schools by sector, size & type
Open the dashboard to narrow by Carnegie class, size, HBCU status, or compare schools head-to-head.
Frequently asked
How many colleges and universities are in Arkansas?
76 postsecondary institutions in Arkansas report to the U.S. Department of Education: 35 public, 19 private nonprofit, 22 for-profit. Together they enroll about 114,486 undergraduates (2024-25 data).
Which Arkansas college enrolls the most undergraduates?
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, with about 28,677 undergraduates (2024-25 data). It is the largest of the 76 institutions listed on this page by undergraduate enrollment.
Are there historically Black colleges or universities in Arkansas?
Yes: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Philander Smith University, Arkansas Baptist College, Shorter College. Arkansas has 4 HBCUs in this directory.
Where does this Arkansas college data come from?
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS collections, most recent release (2024-25). Every figure is federal, published and free to check. Nothing on this page is estimated or AI-generated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard & IPEDS (most recent release, 2024-25). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.