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Arkansas finance programs show a massive earnings gap, with graduates from University of Arkansas earning $52,492 compared to Arkansas State's $34,704. The state's finance education market reflects its corporate headquarters advantage, particularly with Walmart's massive financial operations driving demand for skilled analysts and managers. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with net costs ranging from $9,325 at UA Grantham to $17,525 at the flagship Fayetteville campus. Private schools like Harding University command higher prices at $20,579 but deliver comparable earnings to the state's top public program.
11
Programs
$9,325 – $22,670
Net Price Range
$45,634
Avg. Program Earnings
53.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $17,525 $52,492 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
2 $16,136 $44,869 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
3 $13,085 $34,704 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
4 $16,775 $44,021 $10,118 53.3% 91.2%
5 $20,579 $52,941 $24,888 70.9% 45.1%
6 $22,355 $44,776 $32,480 70.3% 72.3%
7 $22,670 $31,000 55.9% 59.8%
8 $12,171 $8,508 48.7% 94.4%
9 $21,144 $30,832 66.8% 56.6%
10 $15,875 $20,330 35.9% 59.3%
11 $9,325 $8,280 24.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,000 earnings difference between Arkansas finance programs?

University of Arkansas graduates earn $52,492 while Arkansas State graduates earn $34,704, reflecting the flagship's stronger corporate recruiting connections. Harding University also reaches $52,941, suggesting that both the state's top public and select private programs attract major employers like Walmart and Tyson Foods.

How do public university costs compare for finance students in Arkansas?

In-state tuition ranges from $7,754 at Arkansas State to $10,118 at University of Central Arkansas. Net costs after aid span $9,325 at UA Grantham to $17,525 at the Fayetteville flagship, making public options significantly more affordable than private alternatives.

Does graduation rate correlate with earnings in Arkansas finance programs?

The pattern holds partially, with University of Arkansas showing both high graduation rates (70%) and top earnings ($52,492). However, Harding University achieves the highest graduation rate at 70.9% and matches the earnings leader, while some programs with moderate graduation rates show weaker employment outcomes.

Where do Arkansas finance graduates find the best job opportunities?

Northwest Arkansas offers the strongest prospects due to Walmart's headquarters requiring extensive financial analysis and treasury operations. Little Rock provides additional opportunities in banking and regional corporate finance, while the state's low cost of living helps stretch starting salaries of $35,000 to $53,000.

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