Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Arkansas

Political Science and Government programs in Arkansas show remarkable cost variation, with net prices spanning from $10,097 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to $22,355 at Ouachita Baptist University. The state's public universities dominate the affordable options, claiming seven of the ten cheapest spots. Arkansas offers unique advantages for political science students, particularly given Walmart's corporate headquarters in Bentonville creates substantial demand for government relations professionals and policy analysts. University of Arkansas at Fayetteville leads in graduation rates at 70 percent while maintaining a reasonable $17,525 net cost. The earning potential of $32,925 for graduates aligns well with Arkansas's lower cost of living, making these programs financially practical choices for students planning careers in government, lobbying, or public administration.

Programs

$10,097 – $24,294

Net Price Range

$32,925

Avg. Program Earnings

51.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas	$10,097	$6,906	37.0%
2	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
3	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171	$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
4	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
5	University of the Ozarks Clarksville, Arkansas	$13,630	$25,950	51.8%	60.1%
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	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas	$15,944	$9,820	46.5%	63.6%
9	University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas	$16,136	$8,455	41.4%	61.5%
10	University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas	$16,775	$10,118	53.3%	91.2%
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%
14	John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas	$21,144	$30,832	66.8%	56.6%
15	Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$22,355	$32,480	70.3%	72.3%
16	Lyon College Batesville, Arkansas	$22,670	$31,000	55.9%	59.8%
17	Hendrix College Conway, Arkansas	$23,409	$36,650	69.2%	60.3%
18	Ecclesia College Springdale, Arkansas	$24,294	$16,850	36.5%	55.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Arkansas-Fort Smith the cheapest option for political science?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers the lowest net price at $10,097, with in-state tuition of just $6,906. This public institution provides significant savings compared to private alternatives like University of the Ozarks at $13,630. However, the school reports a 37 percent graduation rate, which students should weigh against the cost savings when making their decision.

How do private colleges compare to public universities for political science costs?

Private institutions in Arkansas charge substantially more, with University of the Ozarks at $13,630 representing the most affordable private option. Ouachita Baptist University tops private costs at $22,355, more than double most public alternatives. However, private schools like Harding University achieve higher graduation rates at 70.9 percent compared to public averages around 45 percent.

Is University of Arkansas worth the higher cost compared to other state schools?

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville costs $17,525 net but delivers the highest graduation rate at 70 percent among public options. The school also provides the only available earnings data at $32,925 for political science graduates. Students pay roughly $4,400 more than Arkansas State University but gain significantly better completion rates and clearer career outcomes.

Where do Arkansas political science graduates find employment opportunities?

Arkansas political science graduates benefit from major corporate presence including Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, which requires government affairs specialists and policy researchers. Tyson Foods and Dillard's also maintain significant lobbying operations. The state capital in Little Rock offers additional government positions, while the $32,925 average earnings stretch further given Arkansas's below-national-average living costs.

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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.