Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Arkansas (2026)

155 of 172 accredited nursing programs in Arkansas list total tuition in our 2026 directory — lowest listed cost $8,100 . Average RN wages in Arkansas run $77,720 (4.6% RN job growth projected), so community-college ADN and public-university BSN paths often pay back within a few years.

$8,100
Lowest tuition
$77,720
Avg RN salary in Arkansas

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Compare tuition and financial aid for Arkansas nursing programs

Across 155 Arkansas nursing programs with listed total tuition, costs range from $8,100 to $108,000. RN-to-BSN options start near $8,100. Figures are program directory totals current as of 2026-07-20; confirm net price with each school.

Degree

Delivery

Showing 155 of 155 programs. Default order: on campus first.

Arkansas nursing programs — on campus first; click column headers to sort
University of CincinnatiMSNHybrid$22,56036
Indiana State UniversityMSNHybrid$23,00036
University of CincinnatiDNPHybrid$33,84036
Arizona State UniversityDNPHybrid$42,00036
American Public University SystemRN-BSNOnline$8,10015
Texas A&M UniversityRN-BSNOnline$9,00015
Florida State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$9,00012
University of Alabama at BirminghamRN-BSNOnline$9,60012
University of South FloridaRN-BSNOnline$9,60015
American Public University SystemMSNOnline$9,72024
Ohio State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$9,90012
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN-BSNOnline$10,20012
Capella UniversityRN-BSNOnline$10,40018
University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleRN-BSNOnline$10,50015
Arizona State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$10,57015
University of CincinnatiRN-BSNOnline$10,80012
University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN-BSNOnline$11,40015
University of Michigan — FlintRN-BSNOnline$11,52012
Aspen UniversityRN-BSNOnline$11,70016
University of Texas at ArlingtonRN-BSNOnline$11,94012
Michigan State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,00015
Keiser UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,00015
Indiana State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,60012
Excelsior UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,90018
Penn State World CampusRN-BSNOnline$13,20018
National UniversityMSNOnline$13,50024
National UniversityMSNOnline$13,50024
National UniversityRN-BSNOnline$13,50018
Purdue University GlobalRN-BSNOnline$13,50018
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesRN-BSNOnline$14,40018
Excelsior UniversityADNOnline$14,56024
Liberty UniversityRN-BSNOnline$14,82018
Herzing UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,00018
Southern New Hampshire UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,12015
Maryville UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,90018
Rasmussen UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,00018
Gonzaga UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,20018
University of PhoenixRN-BSNOnline$16,20024
Western Governors UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,80018
University of CincinnatiMSNOnline$16,92024
University of CincinnatiMSNOnline$16,92024
University of South FloridaMSNOnline$17,28024
National UniversityMSNOnline$18,00030
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Indiana State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Florida State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleMSNOnline$18,00024
Aspen UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Indiana State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Florida State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Aspen UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Arizona State UniversityMSNOnline$18,48018
Arizona State UniversityMSNOnline$18,48018
Grand Canyon UniversityRN-BSNOnline$18,90012
Maryville UniversityMSNOnline$19,08024
Gonzaga UniversityMSNOnline$19,44024
Capella UniversityRN-BSNOnline$19,80024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$19,98024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$19,98024
Chamberlain UniversityRN-BSNOnline$20,4609
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
Drexel UniversityRN-BSNOnline$20,85018
Herzing UniversityMSNOnline$21,00024
Herzing UniversityMSNOnline$21,00024
Sacred Heart UniversityRN-BSNOnline$21,00018
Michigan State UniversityMSNOnline$21,60024
Excelsior UniversityMSNOnline$21,60024
West Coast UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,00018
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
Regis CollegeRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
Seton Hall UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
George Washington UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
Gonzaga UniversityMSNOnline$24,30030
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$25,02024
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$25,02024
Maryville UniversityMSNOnline$25,44030
University of Maryland — BaltimoreMSNOnline$25,92024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$26,64036
American Public University SystemBSNOnline$27,00036
Michigan State UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Capella UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Capella UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Walden UniversityRN-BSNOnline$27,71024
Penn State World CampusMSNOnline$27,72024
Penn State World CampusMSNOnline$27,72024
Liberty UniversityDNPOnline$28,62036
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline$28,80036
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline$30,00036
Grand Canyon UniversityDNPOnline$30,00036
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$30,62536
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
University of Michigan — FlintDNPOnline$31,10436
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$31,27530
Keiser UniversityMSNOnline$32,00030
Capella UniversityRN-MSNOnline$32,40036
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
Regis CollegeMSNOnline$35,10024
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline$35,70036
Maryville UniversityDNPOnline$36,00036
Purdue University GlobalDNPOnline$36,00036
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesMSNOnline$36,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityMSNOnline$36,00024
University of Texas at ArlingtonDNPOnline$36,12036
Penn State World CampusDNPOnline$36,96036
Gonzaga UniversityDNPOnline$38,88036
Michigan State UniversityDNPOnline$39,60036
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$40,02036
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$40,48830
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$40,48830
West Coast UniversityMSNOnline$42,00036
Seton Hall UniversityMSNOnline$42,00024
National UniversityBSNOnline$45,00036
Chamberlain UniversityDNPOnline$45,00036
Drexel UniversityDNPOnline$45,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityMSNOnline$46,00030
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$46,08036
Capella UniversityDNPOnline$46,80042
Regis CollegeMSNOnline$46,80030
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$48,15036
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline$50,40048
Simmons UniversityMSNOnline$50,40024
Walden UniversityDNPOnline$51,00048
University of PhoenixDNPOnline$51,84036
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline$52,00036
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$52,20024
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$52,20024
Johns Hopkins UniversityMSNOnline$54,00024
Johns Hopkins UniversityMSNOnline$58,00024
Regis CollegeDNPOnline$60,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityDNPOnline$65,00036
Simmons UniversityMSNOnline$67,20036
University of PennsylvaniaMSNOnline$72,00024
Walden UniversityPhDOnline$72,00060
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$72,50036
Simmons UniversityDNPOnline$75,00036
George Washington UniversityDNPOnline$78,00036
University of PennsylvaniaMSNOnline$86,00024
Johns Hopkins UniversityDNPOnline$88,00036
University of PennsylvaniaDNPOnline$108,00036

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-07-20. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.

Compare Costs & Get Matched in Arkansas

Find programs with financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment options.

💡 Value check: At an average RN salary of $77,720/year in Arkansas, a program that gets you licensed and working typically pays for itself within 2 months— even when it isn’t the cheapest option on the list.

Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Arkansas

Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Arkansas is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.

Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Arkansas state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.

Measure payback, not price. At Arkansas’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.

Career Outlook for Arkansas Nurses

Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.

Job Growth (2022–2032)
4.6%

At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.

Avg Hourly Rate
$37.36

Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.

NP Practice Authority
reduced

Arkansas requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.

Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.

Related Pages

compare Arkansas nursing tuitionArkansas NCLEX pass ratesNursing scholarships in ArkansasFastest Programs in ArkansasAccelerated BSN in ArkansasBest Schools in ArkansasOnline Programs in ArkansasNursing Salary in Arkansas
How much does nursing school cost in Arkansas?
Across 155 Arkansas nursing programs with listed total tuition, costs range from $8,100 to $108,000. RN-to-BSN bridge options are often among the lower totals; traditional BSN and graduate pathways cost more. Program data current as of 2026-07-20 — confirm net price with each school after aid.
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Arkansas?
Prerequisite and admissions thresholds for Arkansas nursing programs vary by school. Among 71 programs with a published minimum GPA, cutoffs range from 2.00 to 3.60. Confirm current requirements with each program; fields without verified data are omitted here.
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Arkansas with financial aid?
The lowest listed total tuition among Arkansas programs in our directory is $8,100. Accredited programs qualify for federal aid via FAFSA (Pell Grants, loans). Stack federal aid with state and association awards — see our Arkansas nursing scholarships guide. Do not rely on a generic “financial aid available” flag; ask each school for a net-price estimate.
What is the best-value nursing program in Arkansas?
The lowest listed tuition in Arkansas is about $8,100, but the best value is the program with the lowest cost per graduate: weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate usually delivers more per dollar than either the priciest private program or the rock-bottom cheapest one.
What is the ROI on a nursing degree in Arkansas?
At an average RN salary of $77,720 per year in Arkansas (BLS occupational data), nursing school often pays back quickly relative to tuition. A $8,100 program breaks even in about 2 months of estimated take-home income from a typical RN wage.
Are affordable nursing programs as good as expensive ones?
Not all expensive programs are better. Look at NCLEX first-time pass rates — community college ADN programs routinely outperform private college programs on this measure. Accreditation (ACEN or CCNE) guarantees a minimum quality standard regardless of price. Compare Arkansas board-reported rates on our NCLEX pass rates page.
How strong is the nursing job market in Arkansas?
Arkansas RN employment is projected to grow 4.6% through 2032 (BLS). With an average hourly rate of $37.36, experienced nurses who work overtime or take travel contracts can earn substantially more than the annual average. For graduates who advance to the NP level: Arkansas is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
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