Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Arkansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Arkansas at Monticello, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Arkansas State University are the top bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Arkansas by graduate earnings. University of Arkansas at Monticello leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,530, College Scorecard. Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Arkansas: 1,158, 569 and 293 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 42 Arkansas colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 8,209 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,530 | 49 | 49% | — | $20,683 |
| 2 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,143 | 26 | 40% | — | $31,000 |
| 3 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,881 | 1,158 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,780 | 105 | 42% | — | $23,000 |
| 5 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,875 | 38 | 37% | — | $25,500 |
| 6 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,901 | 293 | 49% | — | $28,228 |
| 7 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,686 | 23 | 69% | $19,423 | $26,909 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,728 | 569 | 38% | — | $13,140 |
| 9 | John Brown University Siloam Springs Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,974 | 7 | 72% | $20,325 | $26,772 |
| 10 | Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,309 | 25 | 26% | $16,443 | $18,933 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public · Associate degree | $36,292 | 1,045 | 49% | — | $24,100 |
| 2 | Black River Technical College Pocahontas Public · Associate degree | $33,747 | 323 | 55% | — | $10,428 |
| 3 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville Public · Associate degree | $30,703 | 817 | 31% | — | $10,645 |
| 4 | University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock Public · Associate degree | $30,396 | 472 | 36% | — | $19,000 |
| 5 | Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen Public · Associate degree | $29,547 | 189 | 54% | — | $7,018 |
| 6 | Arkansas State University - Mountain Home Mountain Home Public · Associate degree | $28,907 | 75 | 44% | — | $13,750 |
| 7 | University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College Forrest City Public · Certificate | $27,952 | 294 | 51% | — | $8,000 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton Public · Associate degree | $27,710 | 523 | 42% | — | $8,950 |
| 9 | North Arkansas College Harrison Public · Associate degree | $27,317 | 140 | 42% | — | $8,949 |
| 10 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena Public · Associate degree | $27,137 | 139 | 55% | — | $5,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Arkansas
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public | 1,158 | $33,881 |
| 2 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public | 569 | $26,728 |
| 3 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public | 293 | $30,901 |
| 4 | University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope Public | 190 | Not reported |
| 5 | South Arkansas College El Dorado Public | 114 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock Public | 105 | $33,780 |
| 7 | Arkansas State University Mid-South West Memphis Public | 104 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville Batesville Public | 96 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Public | 91 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello Public | 49 | $41,530 |
ShowHide the other 32 Arkansas colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Arkansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Arkansas.
Which Arkansas colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
Arkansas State University (1,158 graduates a year), University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (569 graduates a year) and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (293 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 42 Arkansas colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What is the best college for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Arkansas?+
By graduate earnings, University of Arkansas at Monticello leads among bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Arkansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,530, College Scorecard. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Arkansas State University follow. By degrees awarded, Arkansas State University is the largest, with 1,158 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Arkansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Arkansas at Monticello tops the list at $41,530. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Arkansas?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Arkansas is $63,200 (median $54,620), across about 1,530 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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