Arkansas Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Arkansas College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Arkansas institutions.
Top Arkansas Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) | Public 4-yr | $10,052 | $28,772 | 26,800 |
| Arkansas State University | Public 4-yr | $9,510 | $15,360 | 13,000 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Public 4-yr | $9,882 | $15,610 | 9,200 |
| UAPB (Arkansas Pine Bluff) | Public 4-yr | $7,960 | $15,250 | 2,500 |
| UALR (Little Rock) | Public 4-yr | $9,880 | $22,330 | 7,600 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Public 4-yr | $8,280 | $16,200 | 9,500 |
| Hendrix College | Private | $53,440 | $53,440 | 1,100 |
| Pulaski Technical College | Community | $3,400 | $4,400 | 7,800 |
Arkansas State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE).
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
Lottery-funded scholarship for AR residents meeting GPA and coursework requirements at eligible AR schools.
Governor's Distinguished Scholarship
For AR residents with top ACT scores (32+) and 3.5+ GPA, or National Merit Finalists. Full tuition at AR schools.
Arkansas Future (ArFuture) Grant
Covers tuition and fees at AR 2-year colleges for students in high-demand programs.
Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship
Scholarship for AR adults pursuing certificates in high-demand workforce fields.
Arkansas Teacher Opportunity Program
Grant for AR residents pursuing teaching careers at AR institutions.
Student Loan Options for Arkansas Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Arkansas have a state student loan program?
Yes. Arkansas offers special student loans for Arkansas residents through the Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA). These are private student loans and don't offer as many perks as traditional Federal loans. However, they do have some great rates if you qualify since they are offered by a non-profit lender.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Arkansas state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Arkansas students.
How much does college cost in Arkansas?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Arkansas public four-year universities is about $9,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $22,800 on campus for Arkansas residents and $29,900 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Arkansas?
Arkansas borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $34,200. Total outstanding federal student debt for Arkansas residents is approximately $11.9 billion.
Does Arkansas offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Arkansas administers the Academic Challenge Scholarship (lottery-funded, $1,000–$5,000), the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship (full tuition for top students), ArFuture Grant (free community college in high-demand fields), and the Teacher Opportunity Program.
Does Arkansas have a state student loan program?
Yes. Arkansas offers special student loans for Arkansas residents through the Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA).
Which Arkansas colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
AR community colleges average $3,400 per year, and are free in high-demand fields through ArFuture Grant. UAPB is the lowest four-year public at $7,960, followed by Arkansas Tech. UA Fayetteville is the highest at $10,052.
What scholarships are available for Arkansas residents?
Key awards include Academic Challenge Scholarship, Governor's Distinguished Scholarship, ArFuture Grant, Workforce Challenge Scholarship, and Teacher Opportunity Program.
Related Arkansas Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Arkansas public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- Arkansas Division of Higher Education program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller