2024 Best MBA Programs in Arkansas

Arkansas, the U.S. and Online

Averages	Arkansas MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs in the US
Average MBA Tuition	$17,073	$38,871	$43,473
Average GMAT Scores	553	550	562
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	50	69	69
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	15:1	17:1	16:1
Average # of MBA Faculty with Doctorate	78.43%	83.45%	83.95%
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment	84	279	288
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment	146	404	354
Average % of MBA Students from U.S.	N/A	76%	75%

What Are the Best Ranked MBA Programs in Arkansas

Read about our ranking methodology.

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in Arkansas?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Arkansas is about $62,951, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $82,700 from John Brown University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Arkansas is between $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University and $82,700 from John Brown University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Arkansas is $63,131.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $62,951 from Arkansas's 10 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University
• Highest In-Person:$82,700 from John Brown University

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $63,131 from Arkansas's 7 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University
• Highest Online: $82,700 from John Brown University

 

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in Arkansas?
If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in Arkansas will cost about $17,073, the least expensive MBA program is $11,239 from University of Central Arkansas, and the most expensive is $35,527 from University of Arkansas.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Arkansas will cost you between $11,239 from University of Central Arkansas and $18,071 from University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The average cost of online MBA programs within Arkansas is $13,997.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $17,073 from Arkansas's 10 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $11,239 from University of Central Arkansas
• Highest in-person: $35,527 from University of Arkansas

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $13,997 from Arkansas's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $11,239 from University of Central Arkansas
• Highest online: $18,071 from University of Arkansas at Little Rock

What is the ROI for MBA Programs in Arkansas?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school's reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you're not just making a decision—you're making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from Arkansas is 201%, the lowest ROI is 112% from University of Arkansas, and the best ROI is 268% from Southern Arkansas University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in Arkansas range between 159% from Arkansas Tech University and 268% from Southern Arkansas University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within Arkansas is 215%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 201% from Arkansas's 10 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 112% from University of Arkansas
• Highest in-person: 268% from Southern Arkansas University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 215% from Arkansas's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 159% from Arkansas Tech University
• Highest online: 268% from Southern Arkansas University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in Arkansas?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Arkansas is 553, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 450 from Henderson State University, and the highest GMAT score needed is 649 from Ouachita Baptist University.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Arkansas is between 450 from Henderson State University to 620 from Ouachita Baptist University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Arkansas is 536.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 553 from Arkansas's 10 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 450 from Henderson State University
• Highest in-person: 649 from Ouachita Baptist University

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 536 from Arkansas's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 450 from Henderson State University
• Highest online: 620 from Ouachita Baptist University

Which MBA Schools Have the Highest Student Enrollment in Arkansas?

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Arkansas state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 24 and 207. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 102 and 239.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 24 from Southern Arkansas University
• Highest: 207 from University of Arkansas
• Average: 84 from Arkansas's 12 MBA Programs.
• Average: 291 from 875 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 24 from Southern Arkansas University
• Highest: 65 from University of Central Arkansas
• Average: 43 from Arkansas's 7 MBA Programs.
• Average: 279 from 327 nation's online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in Arkansas?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Arkansas businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 39 MBA concentrations including:

• Finance: 11
• Marketing: 11
• General Business: 11
• Accounting: 10
• Data Analytics: 9
• Management: 9
• Entrepreneurship: 9
• Information Systems: 8
• Healthcare Administration: 8
• Supply Chain: 6

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: 21
• Harding University: 18
• John Brown University: 16
• Arkansas State University: 16
• Southern Arkansas University: 14
• Ouachita Baptist University: 14
• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith: 14
• Arkansas Tech University: 12
• University of Central Arkansas: 11
• Henderson State University: 10

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities Offering MBA Programs in Arkansas

Looking for a particular city in Arkansas with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in Arkansas. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Arkadelphia
• Conway
• Fayetteville
• Fort Smith
• Little Rock
• Magnolia
• Russellville
• State University

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MBA Program Options Available in Arkansas

Options for earning your MBA in Arkansas have never been more flexible. Arkansas MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

Arkansas has 12 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 8 public schools offering MBA programs.

Arkansas has 8 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

12 Accredited MBA programs.  and 8 public schools offering MBA programs.

Arkansas schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in Arkansas including Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Distance Education, Evenings, Weekends, 1-Year and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of Arkansas businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 39 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in Arkansas

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 12 accredited MBA programs offered in Arkansas, 9 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ and US News) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

Arkansas schools have earned a total of 11 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• University of Arkansas: 3
• Southern Arkansas University: 1
• Ouachita Baptist University: 1
• University of Central Arkansas: 1
• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith: 1
• Arkansas Tech University: 1
• Henderson State University: 1
• Arkansas State University: 1
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for Arkansas schools:

• MBAGuide: 9
• US News: 1

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

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