20 Best Universities In Arkansas For International Students 2025

Arkansas is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 20 universities and colleges in Arkansas, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 20 universities in Arkansas, University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are the top-performing schools in Arkansas. This list covers both public and private institutions in Arkansas.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Arkansas. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Arkansas.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Arkansas?

Applying to the universities in Arkansas involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Arkansas to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Arkansas?

Tuition fees at Arkansas’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 8,760 USD to 40,500 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 6,540 USD to 39,000 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Arkansas!

As we cover the best universities in Arkansas for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Arkansas for International Students

Being the largest university in the entire state, the University of Arkansas (UArk) is a public institution that is geared toward future farmers, engineers, and businessmen. Due to its intensive training and well-versed curriculum, many UA graduates have landed jobs offered by the top 500 companies in the world. Living up to its fame, UArk is comprised of 400 buildings that are used for residence accommodation, academic facilities, student support services, and research-based laboratories. Even though the university itself is quite huge, the student-to-faculty ratio is quite small (19:1), which means that you can personally interact with your professors on a daily basis.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is the only health sciences institution in the state. It employs more than 10,000 employees and is affiliated with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The university provides research, education, and clinical programs, with medical sciences being offered on 2 campuses: Little Rock and Fayetteville.

Established in 1927, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is a public institution that has awarded degrees to countless undergraduate and graduate students. Over the years, the university has undergone several redevelopments and rebranding. It has flourished into a well-structured school and has become one of the leading universities in the state of Arkansas. UA Little Rock offers a broad spectrum of academic programs, some of which are even recognized at the national level. Pursuing a higher education degree at the university is highly recommendable as it provides its students with countless opportunities and possibilities.

Founded in 1909, Arkansas State University (A-State) was initially established as an agriculture school. It has since expanded to provide higher education in different academic disciplines awarding degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels. The university is located in the northeast of Arkansas, where headquarters of various industry sectors are situated. This will significantly benefit its students because countless opportunities will await them.

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) was established in 1907. Located in Conway, Arkansas, the university proved to be one of the premier schools in the state. Students have countless options on what degree or certificate to pursue as it offers a wide array of programs from undergraduate, graduate, associate degrees, and professional certifications. Additionally, the university’s quality of education and training is among the best in the region.

John Brown University (JBU) is a well-established private Christian institution educating students since 1919. Even as a nationally ranked university, its curriculum is not only focused on prioritizing the quality of education. It is also dedicated to aligning its programs with Christian principles and traditions. JBU’s primary goal is to transform the lives of students who will serve the local and international community with passion and integrity.

Hendrix College is a liberal arts higher education school that offers undergraduate studies. Some of its top-rated programs include biology, psychology, economics and business, and health science. In addition, the learning approach is more focused on practice-based learning with numerous opportunities for training and internships. With this kind of teaching approach, students will indeed have comprehensive portfolios that would be advantageous in their future careers.

The most extensive private institution in Arkansas is Harding University. It is a Christian university associated with the Churches of Christ. Two junior colleges merged in 1924 to form Harding: Arkansas Christian College and Harper College. Several undergrad majors and grad programs are offered by Harding University, some of which are available in an online or hybrid format.

Arkansas Tech University is considered one of the most important and affordable universities in the state. It offers more than 50 bachelor’s degree programs and 25 master’s degree programs across its six colleges. The university has two campuses in Arkansas, a career center, and a virtual campus that offers multiple online undergraduate and graduate programs. Education here focuses on giving real-life experiences through service learning and has a stackable modality, which means that students that certain credits earned during a degree program can count towards a superior program if students graduate and want to continue their education.

Lyon College is a private institution that only offers undergraduate-level programs. It was founded in 1872 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It is one of the oldest colleges in the state of Arkansas. Lyon College is known for having a beautiful campus, complete with multiple sports stadiums and gymnasiums that encourage student sports activities.

 

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a land-grant HBCU with a long and rich history of academic excellence and commitment to serving the social and economic needs of the state. Tuition fees at the university are known to be among the lowest in Arkansas, allowing individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life to gain high-quality education and be equipped for promising careers in the future. It offers its students over 50 innovative programs to choose from, including Aquaculture, Biotechnology, and Addiction Studies.

Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and was founded in 1890. It first served as a teacher’s college but slowly developed throughout the years until becoming an actual university. Their mission and vision focus on the individual growth of their students and the strengthening of teaching competence in all fields of study, be it in liberal arts or STEM. In the past 4 years, the university has had a steady annual increase in its student population, and they aim to continue this in the incoming years.

Alaska Pacific University was founded in 1957 and is located in Anchorage, Arkansas. It recently had a student population of 555 youths and has six departments that house their students according to their specific programs. Aside from the academic facilities they have, recreational facilities are also present with gymnasiums, pools, weight rooms, climbing walls, soccer fields, forest trails, and a disc golf course on their campus. It is a private university that has roots in Methodist traditions, yet forwarded itself as a diverse, and inclusive educational institution.

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is known for its excellent programs in agriculture and plant and animal sciences. The university also boasts of a small student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that each pupil is given the chance for an enhanced learning experience. Aside from that, SAU has a dynamic sports culture and a vibrant campus.

Ouachita Baptist University is a higher educational institution with over 130 years of teaching experience. The university boasts a 25 percent athlete-to-student population ratio, with over 16 intercollegiate teams, and 12 GAC Championships under their belt. As they have 1,500 students in their latest data check, this means that 375 of them are student-athletes with most of them being regional and national level competitors. The school is also closely associated with a religious institution, namely the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Tying these two together promotes a healthy body and mindset for their students to receive quality Liberal Arts education.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello was founded in 1909, originally named Fourth District Agricultural School, and adopted its name in 1971. Different services are available to students from career services, counseling, dining and meal plans, housing, health services, recreational activities in arts and sports, as well as social events for the community. One of the innovations the school has introduced is its own UAM Sports Association (UAMSA), created to build the future of the field of athletics for the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith was founded in 1928, with currently over 7000 students in its care. The mascot Numa, the Lion sports its Blue and White colors to depict the “proud, strong, and courageous” identity of the school. Its mission and vision are to create students actively participating in the economic development of the world, and model professionals that will lead or serve the workforce. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are also available to students who identify with their mission and vision.

The University of the Ozarks provides you with more than a degree. It helps you find your passion and the foundation to move forward. Students are assured, composed, and supported with the tools and perspective they need to make a difference wherever they go. True to its Christian heritage, it prepares students from diverse religious, cultural, academic, and economic pieces of knowledge to live life thoroughly.

Philander Smith College is a private institution established in 1877 to provide former African-American slaves with something they have been deprived of for a long time – an opportunity to gain and complete their education. Over the years, this historically black college has produced several alumni with significant contributions to society. Philander Smith College continues to provide high-quality liberal arts programs designed to prepare students to become socially responsible leaders and professionals.

Arkansas Baptist College is a historically black liberal arts institution established in 1884 with the goal of making higher education more accessible to the African-American community in Little Rock, Arkansas. It offers a range of bachelor’s and associate degrees in various disciplines, the most popular of which is its program in Religious Studies. The college also encourages its students and faculty members to participate in different outreach activities to promote social responsibility in its campus community.