2026 Best Value Healthcare Schools in Arkansas
Looking for the best-value Healthcare degree programs in Arkansas? This list ranks 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.
To help you make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated 23 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 Healthcare Degree Schools in Arkansas
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Arkansas State University Newport to be the best-value Healthcare school in Arkansas. Based in Newport, AR, Arkansas State University Newport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $10,925. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,524. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt. Read the full report on Arkansas State University Newport
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Arkansas Community College earned it the #2 place in Arkansas. South Arkansas Community College is a public school based in El Dorado, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $15,386. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on South Arkansas Community College
A rank of #3 makes University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville one of the best values in Arkansas. Set in Batesville, AR, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,706 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville report
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Ouachitas one of the best values in Arkansas. This public school is set in Malvern, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $3,788, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out. Read the full report on College Of The Ouachitas
Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Healthcare ranking in Arkansas. Located in Bentonville, AR, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Northwest Arkansas Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $12,479 in debt. Northwest Arkansas Community College alumni report median earnings of $43,505 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt. More on Northwest Arkansas Community College
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #6 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Located in Blytheville, AR, Arkansas Northeastern College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete their Healthcare program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,169. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Arkansas Northeastern College profile
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Mountain Home, AR, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Typical Healthcare student debt is $18,097. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,238. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Arkansas State University Mountain Home
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Helena, AR, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Typical Healthcare student debt is $5,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $29,552. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Arkansas State University Beebe offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Beebe, AR, Arkansas State University Beebe is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Arkansas State University Beebe Healthcare students take on a median of $9,350 in debt. Median earnings reach $36,603 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Arkansas State University Beebe
National Park Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. This public school is set in Hot Springs, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. The median Healthcare program debt is $14,162. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,444 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on National Park Community College
Pulaski Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Pulaski Technical College is a public school based in North Little Rock, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Pulaski Technical College Healthcare students take on a median of $15,043 in debt. Pulaski Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,722 a decade after entry. Set against $15,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Pulaski Technical College
Rich Mountain Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Set in Mena, AR, Rich Mountain Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Rich Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $30,037 a decade after entry. See the full Rich Mountain Community College profile
Black River Technical College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Pocahontas, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Typical Healthcare student debt is $12,420. Median earnings reach $34,818 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Black River Technical College
North Arkansas College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Harrison, AR, North Arkansas College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. The median Healthcare program debt is $10,645. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full North Arkansas College profile
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Set in Jonesboro, AR, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Arkansas State University Main Campus Healthcare students take on a median of $23,399 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,617. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants. Read more about Arkansas State University Main Campus
Henderson State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Set in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. The median Healthcare program debt is $23,234. Ten years after enrolling, 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
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Fort Smith, AR, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Typical Healthcare student debt is $20,333. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,102. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $24,019. Median earnings reach $58,191 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of Central Arkansas placed #19 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Based in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete their Healthcare program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,938. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Central Arkansas
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Little Rock, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,265. Set against $27,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock has an acceptance rate of 59%. See the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock profile
Arkansas Tech University landed the #21 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, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $23,257. Arkansas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $41,766 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on Arkansas Tech University
Harding University placed #22 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Searcy, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete their Healthcare program here. Median earnings reach $52,876 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%. See the full Harding University profile
University Of Arkansas At Monticello offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Monticello, AR. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete their Healthcare program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,902 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt. See the full University Of Arkansas At Monticello profile
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
East Arkansas Community College landed the #25 spot for value in Arkansas this year. More on East Arkansas Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Healthcare Degree Schools in Arkansas
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
River Valley School Of Massage placed #26 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Get the full River Valley School Of Massage report
Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway
Baptist Health College Little Rock landed the #28 spot for value in Arkansas this year. See the full Baptist Health College Little Rock profile
Grantham University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Grantham University
New Tyler Barber College Inc landed the #30 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read the full report on New Tyler Barber College Inc
Ecclesia College
Ecclesia College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Ecclesia College
University Of The Ozarks ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on University Of The Ozarks
Lyon College
Lyon College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Lyon College
John Brown University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full John Brown University report
Arkansas State University System Office ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Read the full report on Arkansas State University System Office
Academy Of Salon And Spa offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Academy Of Salon And Spa profile
Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School
Washington Barber College Inc landed the #38 spot for value in Arkansas this year. See the full Washington Barber College Inc profile
Crowleys Ridge College placed #39 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Crowleys Ridge College
Hot Springs Beauty College landed the #40 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Get the full Hot Springs Beauty College report
Shorter College
Shorter College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Get the full Shorter College report
Arkansas Beauty College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Get the full Arkansas Beauty College report
Williams Baptist College landed the #43 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about Williams Baptist College
Velvatex College Of Beauty Culture came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Velvatex College Of Beauty Culture
Central Baptist College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Central Baptist College profile
Ozarka College
Ozarka College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Ozarka College
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #47 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff report
Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville
Searcy Beauty College placed #49 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Arkansas. Get the full Searcy Beauty College report
Champion Christian College landed the #50 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Get the full Champion Christian College report
More Healthcare Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 23 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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