2025 Best MBA Programs in Arkansas

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
Arkansas, the U.S. and Online

Averages	Arkansas MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs Nationwide
Average MBA Tuition	$17,115	$37,225	$42,573
Average Graduate Salary	$62,783	$79,354	$82,899
Average ROI	304%	196%	185%
Average GMAT Scores	559	561	567
Average Full-Time Faculty	58	72	72
Average Student Faculty Ratio	15:1	17:1	16:1
Average Business School Enrollment	1,899	2,654	2,533

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 $17,115, the least expensive MBA program is $9,435 from Arkansas Tech University, and the most expensive is $35,527 from University of Arkansas.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Arkansas will cost you between $9,435 from Arkansas Tech University and $35,527 from University of Arkansas. The average cost of online MBA programs within Arkansas is $17,115.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $17,115 from Arkansas’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $9,435 from Arkansas Tech University
Highest in-person: $35,527 from University of Arkansas

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

Average: $17,115 from Arkansas’s 8 online MBA Programs
Lowest online: $9,435 from Arkansas Tech University
Highest online: $35,527 from University of Arkansas

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 $62,783, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $79,911 from University of Arkansas.

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 $79,911 from University of Arkansas. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Arkansas is $62,783.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $62,783 from Arkansas’s 8 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University
• Highest In-Person:$79,911 from University of Arkansas

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $62,783 from Arkansas’s 8 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $44,250 from Arkansas Tech University
• Highest Online: $79,911 from University of Arkansas

What is the Average 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 304%, the lowest ROI is 125% from University of Arkansas, and the best ROI is 437% from Southern Arkansas University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in Arkansas range between 125% from University of Arkansas and 437% from Southern Arkansas University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within Arkansas is 304%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 304% from Arkansas’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 125% from University of Arkansas
• Highest in-person: 437% from Southern Arkansas University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 304% from Arkansas’s 8 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 125% from University of Arkansas
• Highest online: 437% 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 559, 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 649 from Ouachita Baptist University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Arkansas is 559.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 559 from Arkansas’s 8 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: 559 from Arkansas’s 8 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 450 from Henderson State University
• Highest online: 649 from Ouachita Baptist University

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in Arkansas

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni 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 2 and 313. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 59.00 and : 207.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 2 from Henderson State University
• Highest: 313 from University of Arkansas
• Average: 77 from Arkansas’s 8 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 2 from Henderson State University
• Highest: 313 from University of Arkansas
• Average: 77 from Arkansas’s 8 MBA Programs.
• Average: 287 from 392 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 26 MBA concentrations including:

• Management: 8
• Marketing: 8
• Data Analytics: 7
• General Business: 7
• Accounting: 6
• Finance: 6
• Corporate Finance: 6
• Supply Chain: 4
• Entrepreneurship: 4
• Information Systems: 4

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in Arkansas?

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: 17
• University of Arkansas: 15
• Southern Arkansas University: 14
• University of Central Arkansas: 14
• Henderson State University: 9
• Ouachita Baptist University: 8
• Arkansas State University: 8
• Arkansas Tech University: 4

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

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.

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 8 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 7 public schools offering MBA programs.

Arkansas has 7 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

8 Accredited MBA programs.  and 7 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 26 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 8 accredited MBA programs offered in Arkansas, 8 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 10 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
• 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: 8
• US News: 1

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in Arkansas

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

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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