Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Arkansas

Arkansas Teacher Education and Professional Development programs show striking cost differences that directly impact graduate debt burdens. The state's 20 programs range from Arkansas Northeastern College's remarkably low $5,144 net price to Ouachita Baptist University's $22,355, creating a $17,211 gap between the most and least expensive options. Public institutions dominate the affordable end, with University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offering strong value at $10,097 net cost and $35,416 median earnings. Arkansas's education job market benefits from the state's business-friendly environment, where major employers like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Dillard's create demand for corporate training specialists and workplace education coordinators alongside traditional classroom teachers. Graduation rates vary significantly across price points, from Arkansas Northeastern's 20.7% to Ouachita Baptist's 70.3%, suggesting that higher costs often correlate with better completion rates. The earnings range of $31,133 to $37,748 reflects Arkansas's lower cost of living, where education salaries stretch further than in many states.

Programs

$5,144 – $22,670

Net Price Range

$34,506

Avg. Program Earnings

46.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 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	$35,416	$6,906	37.0%
2	University of the Ozarks Clarksville, Arkansas	$13,630	$35,416	$25,950	51.8%	60.1%
3	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171	$31,133	$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
4	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$33,382	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
5	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas	$14,013	$31,133	$8,868	43.3%
6	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$37,671	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
7	University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas	$16,136	$34,642	$8,455	41.4%	61.5%
8	University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas	$16,775	$35,518	$10,118	53.3%	91.2%
9	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas	$15,944	$33,565	$9,820	46.5%	63.6%
10	Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$16,929	$32,711	$7,885	38.0%	70.7%
11	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$36,248	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
12	Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$22,355	$37,748	$32,480	70.3%	72.3%
13	John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas	$21,144	$33,993	$30,832	66.8%	56.6%
14	Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, Arkansas	$17,236		$16,440	26.1%
15	Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, Arkansas	$5,144		$2,570	20.7%
16	North Arkansas College Harrison, Arkansas	$10,146		$3,168	29.1%
17	Central Baptist College Conway, Arkansas	$16,664		$19,680	35.3%	63.9%
18	Philander Smith University Little Rock, Arkansas	$15,360		$13,014	32.3%
19	Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, Arkansas	$15,875		$20,330	35.9%	59.3%
20	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679		$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
21	Lyon College Batesville, Arkansas	$22,670		$31,000	55.9%	59.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,211 cost difference between Arkansas's cheapest and most expensive teacher education programs?

Arkansas Northeastern College offers the state's lowest net price at $5,144, while Ouachita Baptist University charges $22,355, reflecting the typical public versus private divide. However, some public universities like University of Arkansas charge $17,525, nearly matching private costs. Private institutions often include more student services and smaller class sizes in their pricing, while community colleges like Arkansas Northeastern focus on basic degree completion at minimal cost.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Arkansas teacher education?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Ouachita Baptist University achieving 70.3% graduation at $22,355 net cost. University of Arkansas reaches 70% graduation at $17,525, while Arkansas Northeastern College graduates only 20.7% of students despite its $5,144 price tag. The mid-range public universities like Arkansas State University balance cost and completion effectively, graduating 55.1% at $13,085 net price.

Does attending a more expensive Arkansas teacher education program lead to higher earnings?

The earnings range spans only $6,615 from lowest to highest, with Ouachita Baptist graduates earning $37,748 and Arkansas Tech graduates earning $31,133. University of Arkansas produces the second-highest earners at $37,671 despite moderate costs, while University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates earn $35,416 at just $10,097 net price. The compressed salary range suggests that program cost has minimal impact on starting teacher salaries in Arkansas.

What role does Arkansas's business environment play in teacher education career opportunities?

Arkansas's corporate headquarters including Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Dillard's create demand for corporate trainers and professional development specialists beyond traditional classroom roles. The state's logistics and retail focus requires specialized training coordinators, expanding career paths for education graduates. Teacher education graduates can leverage Arkansas's business-friendly environment and low cost of living, where median earnings of $31,133-$37,748 provide comfortable living standards compared to higher-cost states.

Where can students find the best value combination of cost and outcomes in Arkansas teacher education?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers strong value with $10,097 net cost, $35,416 median earnings, and manageable $19,652 debt loads. Arkansas State University provides another strong option at $13,085 net cost with 55.1% graduation rates and $33,382 earnings. University of the Ozarks stands out among private options with 51.8% graduation rates and $35,416 earnings at $13,630 net cost, significantly below other private institutions.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Rankings

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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.