Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Arkansas (2026)
One nursing program at Arkansas schools and campuses lists tuition — the lowest is Arkansas State University – School of Nursing's Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner at $15,770 total. Online programs from 43 more out-of-state schools also enroll Arkansas residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Arkansas tuition
- Tuition at Arkansas schools and campuses: $15,770 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Arkansas nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University – School of NursingOnline MSN – Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $15,770 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Partner programs in Arkansas.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Cheapest online programs open to Arkansas residents
These schools are based outside Arkansas but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Texas A&M UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,000 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,500 |
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.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
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.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Arkansas nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Arkansas often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Arkansas include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. 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.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Arkansas
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Arkansas
Arkansas is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Arkansas
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Arkansas.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Arkansas?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Arkansas with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Arkansas as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Arkansas?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Arkansas?
Compare nursing programs in Arkansas
- All nursing programs in Arkansas
- Online nursing programs in ArkansasPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in ArkansasPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in ArkansasSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Arkansas
- ADN programs in ArkansasAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in ArkansasFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.