Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas 2025

Many students want to pursue higher education but feel held back � because they're too busy or because of the cost. The good news is, there are many affordable bachelor's degrees online that give students flexibility in their education.

Online programs are often more convenient than in-person learning, and by choosing a low-cost school, you can reduce or even eliminate your student loan debt. Keep reading to discover more about affordable online bachelor's degree programs in Arkansas.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in Arkansas?

The cost of an online bachelor's degree depends on several factors, including the type of school you choose. In Arkansas, the cheapest online bachelor's degrees generally come from public schools.

Cost also depends on the financial you qualify for. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this determines eligibility for federal and state programs. There are many cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA in Arkansas and across the country.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Arkansas

Several Arkansas colleges and universities offer online bachelor's degrees. Below, we've highlighted the affordable online bachelor's degree programs in Arkansas.

1. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public university in Fort Smith, AR. It offers a handful of online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, and organizational leadership.

Tuition for in-state residents and residents of border states is $198 per credit hour. The tuition rate for out-of-state students is $400 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $198 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $400 per credit

Financial aid: UAFS accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, like scholarships, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Southern Arkansas University

At Southern Arkansas University, students can choose from several bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include criminal justice, elementary education, healthcare administration, and management.

This public university is located in Magnolia, AR. In-state tuition here is $246 per credit hour, while the out-of-state rate is $437 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $246 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $437 per credit

Financial aid: SAU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

3. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University offers a variety of bachelor's degrees through online education. ATU is a public university in Russellville, AR.

Online bachelor's degrees are available in emergency management, organizational leadership, nursing, and social sciences. Tuition for in-state students is $257.27 per credit, while out-of-state tuition is $514.54 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $257.27 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $514.54 per credit

Financial aid: ATU offers institutional aid and also accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Arkansas

Multiple online learning programs are available at the University of Arkansas. Areas of study for bachelor's degrees include agriculture business, human resources, public relations, and world languages.

The University of Arkansas, based in Fayetteville, AR, is a public research institution. It charges online students $263.18 per credit for undergraduate programs, no matter what state the student lives in.

Average in-state tuition: $263.18 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $263.18 per credit

Financial aid: The University of Arkansas accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

5. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a public research institution in Jonesboro, AR. It offers dozens of online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, engineering, health science, and social sciences.

Tuition for online bachelor's degrees at A-State is $282 per credit. This rate is the same for all online students, whether they live in Arkansas or another state.

Average in-state tuition: $282 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $282 per credit

Financial aid: A-State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock can earn several bachelor's degrees through distance learning. Areas of study include business, communication, nursing, and social work.

UALR is a public research university located in Little Rock, AR. It charges $292 per credit for all online undergraduate programs, regardless of the student's state of residence.

Average in-state tuition: $292 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $292 per credit

Financial aid: UALR offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas offers online bachelor's degrees in several fields. UCA is a public institution in Conway, AR.

Online bachelor's degrees are available in subjects like addiction studies, information technology, health promotion, and psychology. Tuition is $307 per credit for all online students.

Average in-state tuition: $307 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $307 per credit

Financial aid: UCA offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

8. John Brown University

A few undergrad degrees are available through online learning at John Brown University. Areas of study include business administration, cybersecurity, organizational leadership, and psychology.

JBU, located in Siloam Springs, AR, is a private Christian school. It charges $335 per credit hour for online programs.

Average in-state tuition: $335 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $335 per credit

Financial aid: JBU accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

One of the great things about online courses is that you can expand your options to schools beyond your state. Below, we've highlighted a few additional cheap online bachelor's degrees from other schools in the U.S.

University of the People

University of the People is a private, nonprofit, online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers online bachelor's degrees in business administration, computer science, and health science.

The university is unique in that it does not charge for tuition, but rather charges an assessment fee for each course. The fee is $140 per credit, allowing student to finish their degrees for less than $6,000 total.

Average in-state tuition: Assessment fees only

Average out-of-state tuition: Assessment fees only

Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private aid. It's also an online college with tuition payment plans.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University offers several online bachelor's degree programs. Areas of study include computer science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and political science.

FSU is a public historically Black university (HBCU) located in Fayetteville, NC, rather than Fayetteville, AR. It charges $41.67 per credit to in-state residents and $104.17 to out-of-state online learners.

Average in-state tuition: $41.67 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $104.17 per credit

Financial aid: FSU offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online bachelor's degrees listed above, our methodology focused on:

• Accreditation: We featured only regionally accredited schools so as to ensure high-quality programs and credits that will transfer if needed.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which accredited Arkansas schools offer online bachelor's degrees, we honed in on which have the lowest tuition rates.
• Program reputation and quality: In addition to only choosing regionally accredited institutions, we only chose schools that are public or nonprofit private to ensure the programs are high quality.
• Online format: All schools listed above offer at least three online bachelor's degrees.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas

Choosing the right online school can be hard, especially if you work full-time or have a busy schedule. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online colleges in Arkansas to help you out.

What Is the Average Cost of an Online Bachelor's Degree in Arkansas?

The cost of an online bachelor's degree in Arkansas will vary depending on multiple factors, such as:

• what school you choose
• where you live
• if you have transfer credits or prior learning
• the financial aid you qualify for

All the programs on this list charge in-state students less than $350 per credit for online bachelor's degrees. However, there are some schools in Arkansas that charge much more, topping out at nearly $900 per credit.

Filling out FAFSA can go a long way to reducing your costs at whatever school you choose. You may qualify for programs like the Federal Pell Grant, and there are plenty of online colleges that accept the Pell Grant.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

Choosing an affordable online college and applying for financial aid can go a long way toward reducing your costs. Another way to help lower your tuition is to look into lower-cost ways to earn college credit.

If you're still in high school, you can take college-level coursework during your junior and senior years. Programs like Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities allow you to earn college credits for free while working toward your high school diploma.

You can also start by earning an associate degree at a community college, as community colleges often have lower rates than four-year institutions. Then look for online colleges that accept transfer credits or offer credit for prior learning.

Can I Get a Bachelor's Degree Online for Free?

While there aren't any schools in Arkansas that offer inherently free tuition, there are ways to reduce your costs so that you go to school for free. This is primarily done through financial aid, but choosing a low-cost college also helps.

Fill out the FAFSA to see what federal and state aid you qualify for. Then, look for financial aid options through your school and for scholarships for online students.

Why Should You Earn an Online College Degree?

Online learning isn't for everyone, but it can be a great option for busy or career-focused students who can't take time away from their obligations to learn on campus. Most online classes are asynchronous, meaning that students can work on their own schedules. Some even allow students to learn at their own pace.

Additionally, many online programs have multiple start dates each year, allowing students to jump in whenever they're ready. Online learning also expands your degree options, allowing you to choose the perfect program for your career goals.

Discover Online Colleges

Reach your career goals by exploring the affordable online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.