Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Arkansas

Arkansas design programs show striking salary differences, with graduates from Harding University earning $38,289 compared to just $25,194 at Arkansas Tech University. The state's retail giants like Walmart and Dillard's create steady demand for graphic designers and merchandising specialists. Nine schools offer design degrees with net costs ranging from $10,097 to $22,355, making Arkansas one of the most affordable states for creative education.

Programs

$10,097 – $22,355

Net Price Range

$31,699

Avg. Program Earnings

57.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas	$10,097	$27,765	$6,906	37.0%
2	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$29,685	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
3	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171	$25,194	$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
4	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$38,289	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
5	John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas	$21,144	$37,748	$30,832	66.8%	56.6%
6	Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$22,355	$37,208	$32,480	70.3%	72.3%
7	University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas	$16,775	$26,007	$10,118	53.3%	91.2%
8	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525		$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
9	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas	$15,944		$9,820	46.5%	63.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $13,000 salary gap between top and bottom design programs?

Harding University graduates earn $38,289 annually while Arkansas Tech graduates start at $25,194. Private schools like Harding and John Brown University consistently produce higher-earning graduates, with their design alumni averaging over $37,000 compared to public school graduates who typically earn in the mid-to-upper $20,000s.

How do Arkansas design program costs compare to potential debt loads?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers the lowest net cost at $10,097, while graduates carry manageable debt loads. John Brown University students graduate with just $19,500 in debt despite the program's $21,144 net cost, suggesting strong financial aid packages at private institutions.

Does graduation rate affect value in Arkansas design programs?

Schools with 70% graduation rates like Harding and University of Arkansas produce the highest-earning design graduates. Arkansas State achieves a solid 55% graduation rate with moderate costs, while Arkansas Tech's 48.7% rate corresponds with lower starting salaries of $25,194.

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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.