Arkansas Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Arkansas requires all teachers to complete a state-approved educator preparation program to earn certification. This guide is designed to help you explore your options for teaching degrees and training programs in Arkansas. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools along with curated lists of respected and affordable programs to support your search for the best path to a teaching career.
Table of Contents
- AR Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 10 Affordable AR Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Arkansas Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Arkansas Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 19 Arkansas teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Arkansas traditional certification guide and our Arkansas alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Yes | 418 | 156 | 75% | 185 | 73 | 79% | $14,275 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Yes | 437 | 143 | 94% | 57 | 24 | 83% | $11,277 |
| Central Baptist College | Yes | 26 | 10 | 70% | — | — | — | $15,547 |
| Crowley’s Ridge College | Yes | 26 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $14,682 |
| Harding University | Yes | 247 | 89 | 85% | 136 | 69 | 88% | $19,454 |
| Henderson State University | Yes | 262 | 89 | 90% | 120 | 52 | 67% | $14,046 |
| John Brown University | Yes | 82 | 31 | 84% | 37 | 14 | 93% | $21,578 |
| Lyon College | Yes | 12 | 6 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $20,495 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | No | 107 | 42 | 95% | — | — | — | $20,534 |
| Philander Smith College | Yes | 4 | 2 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $13,579 |
| Southern Arkansas University | Yes | 357 | 105 | 72% | 256 | 96 | 85% | $13,561 |
| University of Arkansas-Fayetteville | Yes | 693 | 201 | 91% | 13 | 9 | N.Av. | $16,759 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Yes | 203 | 63 | 83% | — | — | — | $9,209 |
| University of Arkansas-Little Rock | Yes | 222 | 53 | 79% | 46 | 17 | 71% | $12,235 |
| University of Arkansas-Monticello | Yes | 22 | 4 | N.Av. | 611 | 102 | 86% | $11,967 |
| University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Yes | 79 | 12 | 45% | 21 | 3 | N.Av. | $10,684 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Yes | 458 | 145 | 75% | 264 | 89 | 90% | $16,048 |
| University of the Ozarks | Yes | 15 | 9 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $16,009 |
| Williams Baptist University | Yes | 48 | 20 | 90% | 33 | 10 | N.Av. | $16,646 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Arkansas
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 10 most affordable schools have a net price under $15,000.
- University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ($9,209)
- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff ($10,684)
- Arkansas Tech University ($11,277)
- University of Arkansas-Monticello ($11,967)
- University of Arkansas-Little Rock ($12,235)
- Southern Arkansas University ($13,561)
- Philander Smith College ($13,579)
- Henderson State University ($14,046)
- Arkansas State University ($14,275)
- Crowley’s Ridge College ($14,682)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Arkansas
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Arkansas
Our list of the top six bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Ouachita Baptist University (95%)
- Arkansas Tech University (94%)
- University of Arkansas-Fayetteville (91%)
- Henderson State University (90%)
- Williams Baptist University (90%)
- Harding University (85%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 23 Arkansas schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Arkansas Baptist College*
- Arkansas Northeastern College
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- Arkansas State University Three Rivers
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- Arkansas Tech University*
- Black River Technical College
- Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
- East Arkansas Community College
- National Park College
- North Arkansas College
- NorthWest Arkansas Community College
- Ozarka College
- Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
- South Arkansas Community College
- Southern Arkansas University Tech
- University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
- University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
- University of Arkansas-Fort Smith*
- University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/