Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Arkansas

University of Arkansas Grantham graduates earn $45,696 annually despite the program's $9,325 net cost, creating Arkansas's strongest value proposition for criminal justice students. This earnings advantage reflects the state's growing security needs across major employers like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and expanding logistics networks that require loss prevention and corporate security professionals. The 13 programs range from $9,325 to $20,579 in net costs, with public universities dominating the affordable end while private institutions like Harding University charge $20,579 but maintain a 70.9% graduation rate.

Programs

$9,325 – $20,579

Net Price Range

$33,580

Avg. Program Earnings

41.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Arkansas Grantham LIttle Rock, Arkansas	$9,325	$45,696	$8,280	24.3%
2	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas	$10,097	$28,133	$6,906	37.0%
3	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$29,141	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
4	University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas	$16,136	$35,060	$8,455	41.4%	61.5%
5	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$37,328	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
6	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas	$14,013	$29,064	$8,868	43.3%
7	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas	$15,944	$30,228	$9,820	46.5%	63.6%
8	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$33,993	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
9	Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, Arkansas	$11,139		$8,760	8.0%
10	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171		$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
11	Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$16,929		$7,885	38.0%	70.7%
12	Philander Smith University Little Rock, Arkansas	$15,360		$13,014	32.3%
13	Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, Arkansas	$15,875		$20,330	35.9%	59.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Arkansas criminal justice programs?

University of Arkansas Grantham graduates earn $45,696 compared to just $28,133 at Fort Smith, a $17,563 difference. Grantham's focus on adult learners and online delivery attracts working professionals who leverage education for career advancement in corporate security roles.

How do graduation rates compare across Arkansas criminal justice programs?

Harding University leads with 70.9% graduation rates, matching the University of Arkansas at 70%. However, Arkansas Baptist College graduates only 8% of students, while most public universities fall between 37% and 48.7%.

Is the debt load manageable for Arkansas criminal justice graduates?

Average debt ranges from $18,500 at Fort Smith to $37,071 at Grantham. Most programs keep debt under $25,000, which remains reasonable given the state's low cost of living and entry-level law enforcement salaries.

Where do Arkansas criminal justice graduates find the best job opportunities?

Corporate security roles at Walmart's Bentonville headquarters and Tyson Foods offer higher salaries than traditional law enforcement. The state's logistics center around Little Rock and Fort Smith also creates demand for loss prevention specialists and transportation security.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.