Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Arkansas

Arkansas criminal justice programs show dramatic cost variations, with University of Arkansas Grantham offering degrees for just $9,325 annually while Harding University charges $20,579. The state's law enforcement market benefits from Walmart's massive security operations and logistics networks that require extensive loss prevention expertise. Graduate earnings span from $28,133 to $45,696, with Grantham producing the highest-earning alumni despite its bargain price tag. Arkansas Tech University accepts 94% of applicants, making quality criminal justice education accessible to most students. The state's 13 programs serve a corrections system managing both rural and urban crime challenges.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $11,000+ cost difference between cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Arkansas Grantham charges $9,325 while Harding University costs $20,579, reflecting public versus private funding models. Public institutions receive state subsidies that significantly reduce tuition for criminal justice students.

How do graduation rates compare across Arkansas criminal justice programs?

Graduation rates range from 8% at Arkansas Baptist College to 70.9% at Harding University. The University of Arkansas achieves a 70% graduation rate at just $17,525 annually, offering both affordability and completion success.

Does program cost correlate with graduate earnings in Arkansas?

Not consistently - University of Arkansas Grantham graduates earn $45,696 despite the lowest program cost at $9,325. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith costs slightly more at $10,097 but produces graduates earning just $28,133.

Where do Arkansas criminal justice graduates find employment opportunities?

Walmart's Bentonville headquarters creates substantial loss prevention and corporate security demand. The state's corrections system and rural law enforcement agencies also actively recruit program graduates across all 13 institutions.

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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.