Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

20 Best Universities in Arkansas

Exploring the academic landscape of Arkansas, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 20 higher education institutions. By assessing 155.3K research papers and their 4.08M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers. Factoring in the global influence of 87.4K notable graduates, this index isolates true institutional success beyond traditional prestige.

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1

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

#128 in United States #148 in North America

74% Acceptance

28,859 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1871 Founded

2

Little Rock

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

#214 in United States #241 in North America

14% Acceptance

3,101 Enrollment

1330 Avg SAT

1879 Founded

3

Little Rock

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

#313 in United States #347 in North America

59% Acceptance

2,412 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

4

Jonesboro

Arkansas State University

#385 in United States #431 in North America

82% Acceptance

2,708 Enrollment

1080 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

5

Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

#449 in United States #496 in North America

89% Acceptance

3,716 Enrollment

1040 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

6

Siloam Springs

John Brown University

#479 in United States #528 in North America

76% Acceptance

5,324 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

7

Batesville

#815 in United States #883 in North America

63% Acceptance

657 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1872 Founded

8

Conway, AR

Hendrix College

#822 in United States #890 in North America

56% Acceptance

1,100 Enrollment

1236 Avg SAT

1876 Founded

9

Searcy

Harding University

#834 in United States #902 in North America

71% Acceptance

5,324 Enrollment

1170 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

10

Russellville

Arkansas Tech University

#837 in United States #905 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,324 Enrollment

990 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

11

Pine Bluff

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

#958 in United States #1030 in North America

41% Acceptance

2,054 Enrollment

977 Avg SAT

1873 Founded

12

Fort Smith

University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

#1141 in United States #1216 in North America

80% Acceptance

5,324 Enrollment

1170 Avg SAT

1928 Founded

13

Monticello

University of Arkansas at Monticello

#1166 in United States #1241 in North America

100% Acceptance

2,054 Enrollment

1183 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

14

Magnolia

Southern Arkansas University

#1218 in United States #1295 in North America

75% Acceptance

3,084 Enrollment

990 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

15

Arkadelphia

Ouachita Baptist University

#1229 in United States #1307 in North America

68% Acceptance

2,055 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1886 Founded

16

Arkadelphia

Henderson State University

#1236 in United States #1314 in North America

100% Acceptance

3,272 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

17

Little Rock

Philander Smith College

#1547 in United States #1633 in North America

100% Acceptance

755 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

18

Walnut Ridge

Williams Baptist University

#1930 in United States #2023 in North America

83% Acceptance

495 Enrollment

19 Avg ACT

1941 Founded

19

Springdale

Ecclesia College

#2266 in United States #2367 in North America

74% Acceptance

111 Enrollment

1975 Founded

$24,552 Net Price

20

Fort Smith

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

#2284 in United States #2385 in North America

89% Acceptance