Data shows that students paid $11,357 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $365 more than the previous school year.
Among the 70 institutions providing full disclosure in the state, Hendrix College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $35,100. Ouachita Baptist University followed with an average of $31,180 per year. Arkansas State University-Newport students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $2,967.
Currently there are 72 higher education institutions in Arkansas.
At the time, at least $184.1 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started college in Arkansas. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $68.7 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Of the 72 institutions in Arkansas, two did not provide detailed data on tuition fees, including Jefferson Regional School of Nursing and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Average Tuition Fees | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | $35,100 | 1,132 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | $31,180 | 1,730 |
| Lyon College | $31,000 | 496 |
| John Brown University | $29,720 | 1,801 |
| University of the Ozarks | $25,950 | 784 |
| Harding University | $23,148 | 3,523 |
| University of Arkansas | $20,416 | 26,269 |
| Arkansas Beauty School-Little Rock | $19,455 | 98 |
| Williams Baptist University | $19,450 | 562 |
| University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology | $18,325 | 27 |
| Career Academy of Hair Design | $18,195 | 230 |
| Northern Technical College | $17,995 | 30 |
| Central Baptist College | $17,700 | 564 |
| Academy of Salon and Spa | $17,385 | 67 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock | $17,070 | 358 |
| New Beginnings Beauty Academy | $17,000 | 31 |
| Washington Barber College Inc | $17,000 | 56 |
| Ecclesia College | $16,850 | 157 |
| Designer Barber & Stylist School | $16,325 | 88 |
| Velvatex College of Beauty Culture | $16,230 | 14 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Arkansas | $16,075 | 109 |
| Arthur's Beauty College | $15,750 | 76 |
| Arthur's Beauty College | $15,750 | 57 |
| Hot Springs Beauty College | $15,750 | 90 |
| Arthur's Beauty College | $15,750 | 37 |
| GoodFellas Barber College | $15,675 | 62 |
| Crowley's Ridge College | $15,000 | 201 |
| Arkansas Beauty College | $15,000 | 29 |
| Arkansas Welding Academy | $13,713 | 69 |
| Strayer University-Arkansas | $13,515 | 275 |
| Philander Smith University | $13,014 | 769 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | $12,938 | 549 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | $11,477 | 2,182 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | $11,271 | 3,148 |
| University of Central Arkansas | $10,345 | 7,994 |
| River Valley School of Massage | $9,800 | 8 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $9,425 | 5,825 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | $9,317 | 2,270 |
| Arkansas Baptist College | $8,760 | 497 |
| Arkansas Tech University | $8,365 | 8,722 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | $8,280 | 4,598 |
| Arkansas State University | $8,212 | 8,201 |
| Henderson State University | $7,980 | 1,807 |
| Champion Christian College | $7,755 | 82 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $7,049 | 5,335 |
| Shorter College | $6,246 | 321 |
| Academy of Professional Cosmetology | $6,125 | 135 |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | $5,820 | 4,245 |
| National Park College | $5,763 | 2,340 |
| Northwest Technical Institute | $5,184 | 201 |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | $4,519 | 943 |
| Black River Technical College | $4,513 | 1,566 |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | $4,482 | 7,593 |
| Southeast Arkansas College | $4,380 | 898 |
| Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas | $4,026 | 1,278 |
| Ozarka College | $3,810 | 983 |
| South Arkansas College | $3,810 | 1,162 |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | $3,764 | 679 |
| University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana | $3,656 | 1,188 |
| North Arkansas College | $3,600 | 1,856 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | $3,582 | 1,888 |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | $3,500 | 1,234 |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South | $3,416 | 979 |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | $3,356 | 1,832 |
| East Arkansas Community College | $3,210 | 1,179 |
| Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | $3,185 | 1,247 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | $3,126 | 1,008 |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | $3,074 | 1,502 |
| Arkansas State University-Beebe | $3,058 | 2,928 |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | $2,967 | 1,592 |
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