Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Arkansas

Teacher education programs in Arkansas span a $12,258 cost gap, with University of Arkansas-Fort Smith charging just $10,097 compared to Harding University's $20,579 net price. This range reflects the state's public-private divide, though even the most expensive options remain below national averages. Arkansas's education sector benefits from the state's corporate training needs, particularly with Walmart's headquarters driving demand for workplace learning specialists and corporate education professionals. The earnings data reveals interesting patterns, with University of Arkansas graduates earning $40,017 annually while University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates start at $27,204. Most programs maintain graduation rates between 35-55%, though the flagship University of Arkansas achieves 70% alongside Harding's 70.9%. These teacher preparation programs serve Arkansas's 238 school districts, where the low cost of living makes education salaries more competitive than raw numbers suggest.

Programs

$10,097 – $22,355

Net Price Range

$35,113

Avg. Program Earnings

48.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas 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	Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, Arkansas	$15,875	$20,330	35.9%	59.3%
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	Central Baptist College Conway, Arkansas	$16,664	$19,680	35.3%	63.9%
11	University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas	$16,775	$10,118	53.3%	91.2%
12	Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$16,929	$7,885	38.0%	70.7%
13	Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, Arkansas	$17,236	$16,440	26.1%
14	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
15	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
16	John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas	$21,144	$30,832	66.8%	56.6%
17	Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$22,355	$32,480	70.3%	72.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Arkansas-Fort Smith the most affordable teacher education option?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers the lowest net price at $10,097, with in-state tuition of just $6,906. The program produces graduates earning $35,274 annually with relatively low debt loads of $16,328. While the 37% graduation rate trails state averages, the combination of low costs and decent earnings creates strong value for aspiring teachers.

How do private teacher education programs compare to public options in Arkansas?

Private programs like University of the Ozarks ($13,630) and Harding University ($20,579) often deliver higher graduation rates, with Harding achieving 70.9% completion. However, public universities dominate the affordable end, with seven schools under $17,000 net cost. The private sector's acceptance rates tend to be more selective, with Harding admitting just 45% of applicants compared to Arkansas Tech's 94%.

Is there a correlation between program cost and graduate earnings in Arkansas teacher education?

Surprisingly, the most affordable program doesn't produce the lowest-earning graduates. University of Arkansas leads earnings at $40,017 despite charging $17,525, while Arkansas State graduates earn $37,255 for just $13,085 in costs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff shows the weakest return, with $27,204 earnings despite reasonable $11,679 costs, suggesting program quality varies significantly across institutions.

Where do Arkansas teacher education graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Arkansas's corporate sector, led by Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Dillard's, creates demand for corporate trainers and workplace education specialists beyond traditional classroom teaching. The state's 238 school districts offer traditional opportunities, while the low cost of living makes teacher salaries of $27,000-$40,000 more viable than in higher-cost states. Little Rock and Fayetteville metropolitan areas provide the most varied education career paths.

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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.